RAFE:

The Dragon Knight

Dragon’s Blood M.C. Book 10

By: B.A. Stretke

Copyright © 2019 by B.A. Stretke

Published by Superiorland Publishing

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person (living or dead), place, or event is purely coincidence.

CHAPTER ONE

The Dragon Circle led by King Duncan Adair completed their relocation from the Shetland Islands to Laramie Wyoming. The Quest of Clan Keith had been successful, mates were found, children were being conceived and they'd established the dragon presence in a new land of opportunity and growth. They were dedicated to this land, which would provide for the continued existence throughout the ages of the, now, Laramie Dragon Circle.

Most of the members resided on the mountain that was owned by the Circle out of the hustle and bustle of the city life. Some, mostly the younger dragons and those eager to mix with the locals, human and paranormal alike, chose to take up residence at the Lodge that was home to Clan Keith or in nearby fortified housing built and secured by the Circle.

King Duncan gave Calum, the Chieftain of Clan Keith and the leader of the Quest that brought them all here, the first line of command within Laramie proper. He gave his Knights first line of command on the mountain. The King was the ultimate ruler but left the day to day business to his commanders.

The Circle was getting settled with commands back in place and business underway. Life here was felt to be truly abundant with the birth of the Circle’s first dragon baby in over two hundred years, Calum and Chance’s son Liam Keith. Life was good.

The only issue that still needed to be dealt with was Rafe, King Duncan's brother, and First Knight. Rafe was the eldest and most powerful of the Dragon Knights. His disrespectful and dismissive treatment of Lyle Davis, mate, and consort to King Duncan couldn't be ignored. He possessed an underlying distrust and hatred of humans that had become unacceptable.

Rafe had some bad experiences over the years and antipathy had taken shape. In his opinion, humans could not be trusted. Granted, if he'd known that Lyle Davis was Duncan's mate, he probably would have treated him better, but that was water under the bridge now. What's done is done.

Duncan decided that it was time his brother came to terms with his attitude and learned to accept each individual on their own merit and not based on a prejudice formed so many years ago. There were too many human mates present and more being found every day, it seemed, so to hold a belief of conceited superiority was not conducive to a happy home.

Rafe would be sent to reside at the Lodge in Laramie under the Command of Calum Keith. There he will live with humans and dragons alike and be forced to learn to get along. Duncan saw it as not a punishment but rather an opportunity for Rafe to learn and grow as a Dragon Knight who serves his King and his people.

Rafe felt like he was being put on a boat to a Penal Colony, cut adrift in this cesspool of humanity. His worst nightmare was becoming real, living with humans in close quarters and having to share his space. He was not happy, but he was there to serve King Duncan and not himself. He was the First Knight and he would strive to make the best of this very bad situation.

…

Rafe took a seat at the kitchen table and drank his coffee. Most of the residents clustered around the breakfast bar, so he had the table to himself, thank God. He'd been at the Lodge nearly a month now and it felt like forever. The humans running around were at a number he had never before encountered in his private life and space and he didn't like it.

There was a clear understanding of what his brother and King was trying to accomplish with banishing him to this pit of human interaction. Duncan thought constant contact would cause him to soften and accept humans into his life as friends, family, perhaps even a confidant. But he couldn’t see that ever happening. He could learn to tolerate them and possibly even recognize their value as it related to others in his Circle, but that was the best he could hope for.

If Duncan thought that Rafe would ever allow a human into his heart or life, he was sorely mistaken. Humans were traitorous by nature and could not be trusted. The fact that many were now mated to his brother dragons did not alter his opinion.  Rafe would do his time here at the Lodge immersed in the human and dragon population, but he doubted it would change his mind because, beneath it all, humans were basically selfish, it was part of their DNA.

Most of the mates here at the Lodge were human. Even the Chieftain’s mate Chance, who just bore him a son, was human. The only non-human mate was Will, Donell’s Fae mate. Two other members of Clan Keith were mated to vampires, but they didn’t reside in Laramie, they lived with their mates in the Coven up North.

Rafe recognized and accepted the fact that he had to try to play nice and get along if he ever wanted to get out of this place. The only problem with that was Rafe had never learned how to play nice.

“You mind if I sit here?” Rafe looked up to see Bryn, Calum’s brother standing there. Rafe gave the slightest of nods and Bryn smiled and sat down.

He stared at him, thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. "Look, I get that this is not the place you want to be, but for now you have to make the best of it." Bryn leaned forward with his arms on the table. "You were clear and upfront with all of us when you arrived and we appreciated your honesty. So, we know why King Duncan sent you to us and what he hopes you will learn while you're here." Bryn glanced at the men standing and sitting around the breakfast bar, talking and laughing and then turned his gaze back to Rafe.

"With that said, you've been here nearly a month and you still go out of your way to avoid all contact with the humans living and around you." Rafe nailed him with a stare that warned him to watch his words and not overstep the boundaries between Warrior and Knight. Bryn instantly raised his hands palms out, indicating no offense intended. "Why not join us tonight at the Red Lion and try your hand at mingling, a little."

The Red Lion was previously known as the Federal and had been the seediest bar in town, from what he’d heard. Now it was owned and operated by the twins, Flynn and Forbes and their human mate Hunter. It was a bar that catered to humans and paranormals alike and was still a place that garnered a less than stellar reputation which continued to make it appealing to a lot of locals.

"Baby steps, Rafe," Bryn added when all he got was silence for his suggestion.

"Okay, I'll meet you there tonight," Rafe stated and Bryn looked a bit surprised by his easy agreement but recovered quickly.

“Alright, good.” Bryn smiled wide. “Things start hopping around nine.”

"I'll see you there." Rafe wasn't sure why he agreed, but maybe it was because Bryn took a big risk sitting down and challenging him the way he did. Rafe respected risk takers.

Rafe had stopped by the Red Lion earlier in the week but had not stayed long. He was simply getting the lay of the land. He had spent the bulk of his time over the last couple of weeks familiarizing himself with the area and the people. He needed to know what and who he was dealing with in this dusty town. He was assigned to Chieftain Calum Keith as additional security and there was no telling how long King Duncan would leave him there. It could be months, or it could be years.

This was not a demotion; he maintained his title of First Knight, but for now, instead of serving his King he would be serving the Chieftain. He took his position seriously and found pride and purpose in providing protection to Calum, his family, and his Lodge. Baby Liam was an absolute treasure and over time Rafe would force himself to get used to Calum's human mate Chance as well as the other human's residing here. In the meantime, he would simply do his job as he always did and see where life took him.

…

Noah Owens was new to this area of Wyoming. He was on the run and in the last two weeks, he'd been everywhere it seemed, from Idaho to Florida and most places in between. This was the first time he was making his way through Wyoming.

They’d tracked him down and nearly caught him outside Austin after he’d used his debit card, but he was able to get away when he received a heads up from a truck stop waitress. She let him know a couple of low life biker types were waiting for him out front of the restaurant.

Even though he hadn’t seen them, he knew it was the jackals. She helped him escape out the back and he caught a ride with a trucker just in the nick of time. That trucker dropped him here in Laramie.

It was late and although he had six hundred dollars in his pocket, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to waste any of it on a motel. He wouldn’t be able to access his account again for some time, so the money he had would have to stretch a long way. This was so fucking brutal, constantly moving, constantly living in fear, where would it end?

He was walking the main street keeping his head down and moving quickly. There was an all-night diner a few blocks from the university. He saw it advertised on a billboard and it sounded like his kind of place. It was currently well past midnight so he could hang there for at least an hour or maybe two if it was busy. It would give him a chance to sit eat and consider his options while having the protection of a public place.

…

Rafe sat at a side table with his back to the wall and a clear view of the front and back doors. Bryn and his mate Cameron were dancing while Angus and his mate Juan were at the bar talking with the bartender, Briggs, a big bear shifter. This left him to settle in and watch the room. The clientele was a bit sketchy, but according to Forbes and Flynn, they'd cleaned the place up considerably. If this was classed up, he couldn't even imagine what the place was like originally.

He was used to some rough establishments and kind of wished he could have experienced the Red Lion in its natural state, it must have been quite the dive. As it was the paranormals wholly outnumbered the humans which was fine in Rafe’s opinion.

Cameron was a decent human, he had to admit that much. Not that he wanted to be friends by any stretch, but Cameron was different. His overwhelming love and devotion to Bryn was clear and evident with every look and every touch, but that was for Bryn alone. Everyone else had to earn his warmth and regard. From what Rafe had observed, he was trusting of the leadership and several of the warriors and mates. But there were many still going through a kind intellectual and analytical observation that kept Cameron a step back but did not lessen the manners and respect required of these individuals.

Rafe found himself on the very edges of Cameron’s analysis and concern, as he should be. He was here probably for the short term so why try to figure him out beyond the rudimentary. Cameron accepted and acknowledged him as far as what was expected and did not pursue anything further. Rafe hated to admit it, but he could learn something from this human.

"You look like you could use some company." The drunken bobcat sauntered over close and bent over, making his intentions clear. "Want to dance? I'm a marvelous dancer." The man was bold considering everyone else in the place was giving Rafe's table a wide birth, not wanting to interrupt or disturb. He gave off the kind of vibe that made a person straighten up and use caution.

“Thank you, but no, I don’t dance and I’m not looking for company.” Rafe tried to sound firm but not angry because the bobcat was harmless. He didn’t want to hurt the guy’s feelings, he just wanted him to go away. The bobcat looked surprised by the abrupt dismissal.

“The guy at the bar said you were lonely and that you loved to dance.” Rafe shot a sharp glance to the bar and saw Angus staring at him with a grin that said it all. Rafe nailed him with a look that could kill and he quickly hunched his shoulders innocently as if he didn’t understand and turned his attention back to the bartender.

Rafe looked back at the crestfallen bobcat who still hadn't gotten the message. "The guy at the bar was bullshitting you, so why don't you go find someone who does want to dance." Rafe shooed him away and finally, the guy turned and walked none too gracefully away. Rafe doubted the guy was actually a good dancer considering that simply walking appeared to be a challenge.

"Just trying to loosen you up a little," Angus said as he and Juan returned to the table and sat down. Juan smiled up at his mate and snuggled close to his side. Juan was a needy mate, but Angus appeared to eat it up. It was nice seeing all the new bonds and realizing all the possibilities of the Circle. But with that said Rafe was in no hurry to find his own mate.

He preferred to keep his own company and was in no mood to have to take on the constant care and feeding of a mate. They turned your life upside down and took over your thoughts and emotions in a most unbecoming fashion. He’d seen it many times over and everyone claimed to be happy and completed by the bond and the intrusion into their life, but it just looked like a hell of a lot of work to Rafe.

"I'm as loose as I care to be Angus," Rafe stated and took a drink of his whiskey.

"I realize humans aren't to your taste, but there are plenty of good-looking shifters in here who could make a pleasurable evening for you," Angus commented and then added. "But none are as handsome as you baby." He said to Juan and kissed him, and it just proved Rafe's point that mates screw with your head. Angus wasn't allowed to appreciate the beauty in another man without securing the tender feelings of his mate first.

"I know Angus, I'm not that insecure," Juan answered with another possessive smile and his admission surprised Rafe. They did seem like a perfect couple.

“How about I let you two enjoy the rest of the evening and I’ll head back to the Lodge?” He said as he finished his whiskey and stood.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Rafe.” Angus apologized. “I’ll stop trying to hook you up, promise.” Rafe squeezed his shoulder and moved away from the table in the direction of the door.

“You didn’t make me uncomfortable. I had a good time.” Rafe explained. “I’ll see you back at the Lodge.” He said as he exited the main door.

“Why’d you chase him off, Angus?” Bryn demanded to know as he and Cameron sat down.

“I didn’t chase him off, he was just ready to go.” Angus defended.

"Rafe is the type of person who can only do crowds like this for so long and then he has to have his space," Cameron interjected and then took a sip of his beer. "He's fine around his brother dragons, but other paranormals and humans tend to irritate him after prolonged exposure." He added thoughtfully.

"And that's the problem right there," Bryn spoke up. "He needs to learn to get over himself and let people in."

“Are you going to tell him that?” Angus laughed.

“No, I don’t believe Rafe is in the state of mind right now to welcome personal critiques.” Bryn clarified. “But if he doesn’t figure himself out, he’s going to be spinning his wheels here in Laramie for a long time.”

…

Noah quickly tried rushing past one of the local bars that opened onto the main street. It was at a time when the patrons were coming and going, and the revelry was spilling out onto the sidewalk. He just wanted to go by and get to the diner at the end of the block. He should have crossed the street, but he didn't want to draw attention to the fact that the crowd made him uneasy. Unfortunate for him was the fact that a majority of the revelers were shifters and his uneasiness shone like a beacon. Now he was a target, fuck.

CHAPTER TWO

"Hey, babe, where are you running to? Come here, let me buy you a drink." A man in a leather jacket with chains and worn jeans called out and started moving towards him. Noah stayed silent with his head down and kept moving. "Oh, don't be like that precious. We won't hurt you, much." With that, they all started to laugh hysterically.

Noah was ready to run when suddenly someone stepped out onto the sidewalk and everything went silent. This man was huge, even in shifter terms, he had everyone beat. Noah had learned to recognize most shifter species, but this guy stumped him. He got no scent or vibe he could categorize.

The guy had thick black hair that swept low over the left side of his face and his deep green eyes which were taking in every individual and action present were mesmerizing. "Leave him alone." The guy said with a deep and thick accent that thrilled Noah but caused everyone else to take a step back giving the big guy all their watchful attention and careful respect.

This man scared them, he didn’t need a menacing leather jacket or torn jeans to look tough all he needed were those eyes. He stood there in nothing but simple dark jeans and a black t-shirt and he took Noah’s breath away. This man was afraid of nothing, this man ruled his own world. What Noah wouldn’t give for even a tenth of his presence and confidence.

“We meant no harm.” The guy in the leather jacket began to whine. The man said nothing just continued to stare at the guy until leather jacket dropped his head and moved away and the others followed. The man then shifted his gaze to Noah.

“You alright?” He asked and Noah nodded. He wanted to speak, to say something, to thank him, but the upset of these hooligans combined with the trauma that was his life and his desperate need to keep moving had him abruptly turning and running away.

Rafe watched as the little redhead took off down the street. He looked scared, more scared than he should have considering the situation. The man was about five-foot-seven, roughly one-hundred thirty pounds, which put him on the skinny side. He was exhausted. The look of him showed days of stress, tension, and insecurity. This dust-up with the wolf shifters was probably just a blip on the screen of what was really going on in the guy's life.

At the end of the block, the guy stopped and went inside the all-night diner. At that moment, Rafe decided he needed a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. It wasn’t that he was particularly interested in the guy he just wanted to make sure the wolf shifters didn’t follow him.

He would observe him for a little while and then he'd head on home. Whatever was going on in the guy's life was his own business and Rafe had no desire to get involved. Humans got themselves into all kinds of trouble and Rafe had no intention of pressing for details. Just make sure he's okay and then go home. That was his plan.

When he stepped inside, he noticed the redhead sitting near the back half hiding behind a plastic potted plant. He couldn't help but half grin at the possibility of that thing in any way protecting him. He took a seat nearer the front but made sure he had a good view of the redhead without being obvious.

"Coffee black and lemon pie." He gave his order to the waitress and then sat back and took in the room. It was mostly empty except for himself the redhead and an old man at the counter. It would probably pick up once the bars closed at two. He felt a sudden tension all the way across the room when the redhead recognized him. He glanced his direction and then immediately looked away and down at his meal.

…

Noah couldn't believe it, why was he here? Was he following him or was this his original destination when he left the bar? He kept his eyes on his food and tried to convince himself that this was all a coincidence and that big brute was not after him. Noah sunk lower in his seat, trying desperately to disappear behind that plastic plant.

After a few minutes of stressing about his intent, Noah settled down and got back to his meal. The guy was just drinking coffee and eating pie and not paying him a bit of attention. Clearly, this was just a strange coincidence. It was nearing two in the morning and he knew the bars were going to be closing soon. He needed to get out of the diner before a crowd of drunken shifters descended.

He quickly finished his ham and eggs and downed the last of his coffee and headed for the counter to pay his bill. As he stood there, he could feel the man’s eyes on him like a warm caress. He hadn’t been watching him before, but Noah could feel that he was definitely watching him now. Noah paid his bill and without looking at the man hiked his backpack up onto one shoulder and headed out into the night.

He didn't like being out on the streets at this hour in an area so rife with shifters. Being human, he had few defenses against their innate strength and speed. That had been made very clear to him a month ago when they attacked his home. He barely survived that encounter, but his cousin Joe hadn't been so lucky. The jackals had beaten them both and left them for dead before setting their house on fire.

The firemen had gotten both him and Joe out, but Joe passed away in the hospital hours later. Noah remained in the hospital for a couple of weeks recovering from the beating and the burns. He tried to explain to the police what had happened, but no one would listen.

They didn’t believe him, said he was delusional and insisted there had been no one in the house except him and Joe and the fire was accidental. But it was when one of those men or rather animals showed up at the hospital asking about him that he realized he wasn’t delusional, and he wasn’t supposed to have survived. He managed to get away that day and had been on the run ever since. It's been two weeks now that he's been always moving with an eye over one his shoulder.

As he thought about it, the shifter activity in this town might work in his favor. The jackals that killed Joe and nearly killed him wouldn’t find a comfortable or accepting welcome in Laramie. The shifters here were wolves, vampires, bears and a variety of cats. None of those groups ever associate with jackals. They would stand out here and not be able to slink around unnoticed as usual. Perhaps he should get a room for a couple of nights and get some real rest before he had to take off again. It might be the only chance he gets for a while.

Rafe left shortly after the redhead and followed him at a distance. The young man looked deep in thought but still kept looking back and forth as if expecting something or someone to jump out at him. He followed him to the River Bend, a cheap motel frequented by the late-night bar crowd. This guy didn't strike him as the seedy motel type, but maybe it was just a money issue.

This man intrigued him for some reason. He was out of place downtown alone in the bar district, he was out of place at the late-night diner, and he is out of place at this motel. Rafe was puzzled by his looks and his behavior. The thought that he could be a student at the university occurred to him, but the clothes and the backpack and the urgency that he displayed even when eating a plate of scrambled eggs indicated a troubled existence.

He disappeared inside the motel and still, Rafe waited outside for a while watching both the motel and the surrounding area.  The man's fear and anxiety were on clear display and were getting to Rafe for some odd reason. Usually, he could ignore the problems of others, especially strangers and definitely humans. Why did this man stir his interest and make him care about his problems? 

He was average as far as looks, Rafe told himself. His hair was a bright red and hung in silky waves around his face framing his soft features and curled at his nape. The look in his gorgeous blue eyes was hesitant and wary. Everything about him was guarded and watchful.

Rafe waited in the shadows for well over a half an hour making sure that the guy was settled down for the night and that no one from the bar had followed him. He had secretly snapped a picture of the guy with his phone at the diner. He opened it up and took a look and felt the rush of compassion along with a subtle hint of longing for the little redhead in the photo. Well maybe that's all it is, just a simple case of lust, he contemplated as he closed his phone and headed back to the Lodge.

Tomorrow morning, he would go see Cameron and have him check the guy out. It would show to everyone that he was willing to work with one of the humans and that's what he was there for so, two birds, one stone.

The Lodge was dark except for the back deck and the kitchen, so Rafe went around back rather than entering through the main doors. There on the deck under the moon and stars, he found Calum his second Alrick and Bryn relaxing in the night air.  They acknowledged him as he took a seat.

“Did you find a willing companion after you left the Red Lion?” Bryn asked with a sly smirk.

"Nothing that exciting," Rafe assured him as he took the offered beer.

"Better luck next time." Bryn smiled and Rafe nodded and took a sip of his beer. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the mountain. His King, his brothers, and the elders all resided on the mountain and he often felt a yearning and a pull to be with them, but it was not to be. His path to enlightenment, as Duncan had called it, was here among the warriors and humans and his duty was to serve his Chieftain.

“Do you miss them, Rafe?” Alrick must have been reading his thoughts. Rafe glanced over to where Alrick sat next to Calum and nodded.

"I do, I have lived side by side and fought and served with my brothers for centuries. Being apart from them is hard but being here with you all has made it easier. Every day I feel my life here taking on the purpose and direction that I need. Thank you, Calum for accepting me into your home. I am honored to serve you."

"You're welcome, Rafe," Calum answered and then added. "For what it's worth, your brothers miss you as well. Lyle has spoken out on your behalf, but King Duncan wants you to remain here for now."

“I appreciate the Consorts concerns, but I agree with Duncan, I have things to learn and I can’t learn them isolated on the mountain. I will be a better man for my time spent here with you.” Rafe was surprised and touched by Lyle’s support.

"Clan Keith is honored to have the First Knight among our number and standing with us," Calum stated and everyone on the deck shouted in agreement. Rafe felt the first pangs of belonging and truly being one with these men. This was a good place.

…

Noah tossed his backpack on the chair by the desk and pulled the curtains closed. It wasn’t a bad place considering the cost. He’d expected something much worse, but the room appeared, on the surface anyway, to be clean and he wasn’t going to look too deep. He washed up and sat down on the edge of the bed just to feel still and calm even for a few minutes.

The jackals would catch up to him soon, it never took very long before they were there on his heels trying to finish the job they started a month ago in Idaho. It didn’t matter where he went or how hard he tried to hide, they always found him. It wasn’t long ago he hadn’t even been aware that shifters existed and now here he was on the run from two men that could turn themselves into jackals. He didn’t know which was scarier, the men or the beasts.

He stripped down to his briefs and slid into bed after securing the door and making sure the window was locked. The room was on the second floor, but he'd learned that with shifters anything was possible, so he took every precaution. Just as his mind began to rest and his muscles relax, his phone rang. Only one person had his number, so he quickly grabbed it from his jeans pocket and answered.

"Hello, Justin." He answered, pleased to be able to talk with his friend. He was the only person who knew what Noah was going through and believed him.

"How are you holding up, Noah?" He asked and sounded wide awake, considering it was just past three in the morning.

“I’m staying one step ahead of them, thank God.” Noah sat up and cradled the cheap burner phone to his ear. He got a new phone every few days but always gave Justin his number.

The burner phone should be safe, but he wondered if there wasn't a defect or weakness in them that his pursuers were able to take advantage of. The jackals seemed to find him too fast, they had to have some sort of advantage. He didn't know a lot about technology, but Justin, who did, had told him the cheap phones could not be traced, Noah had his doubts.

“You can’t keep running Noah. Come home and we’ll try to fight this together with the authorities involved maybe they can stop these men or whoever it was who hired them.” Justin was persistent, he told him to come home every time they spoke and it gave Noah hope for about a split second and then reality came back to him.

“No one can help me. You’ve gone to the police numerable times and they don’t believe you so why would they believe anything I have to tell them. I just need to disappear.” Noah gave his usual answer.

“Where are you, I’ll come get you.”

"No, you can't get involved like that. If they know you're helping me, they'll try to kill you too." Noah brushed off his first question, not feeling comfortable stating his location over this phone.

“Tell me Noah, are you still in Texas?” Justin continued to press. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable and not knowing why Noah cut the call. When the phone began to ring a few seconds later he took it and turned it off. 

He placed the phone back into his jeans pocket and got up and placed the do not disturb sign on the door. He wanted to rest, and Justin rarely had anything constructive to tell him anyway.

The police still believe it was an accident all of our injuries were suffered in the fire and Joe’s death was just unfortunate. The lead detective was a very close friend of Joe’s and even he believed it was an accident. The case was closed for everyone except those jackals and whoever hired them.

Noah forced it all out of his mind for now and stretched out on the bed and tried to go to sleep. He was so tired, physically, mentally, emotionally tired that he just wanted to crawl under a rock somewhere and have the world forget that he existed.

His mind continued to wander as he lay there and soon it fell upon the man who had helped him escape the drunken wolf shifters out front of the Red Lion. He should have been suspicious when the same man showed up at the same diner as him a few minutes later, but he sensed no malice from the large intimidating man.

His presence may or may not have been a coincidence, but Noah felt sure that he wasn’t there to hurt him or report his whereabouts to the jackals. He hadn’t followed him from the diner, Noah had kept a careful watch and he was certain no one had followed him. Maybe the nice-looking man just wanted to make sure he was okay after his run-in with the wolf shifters. That was such a kind thought, unlikely but still kind. Noah smiled softly and fell asleep.

…

Rafe was up early the next morning; first, he went and checked on the man at the motel, making sure he was still there. Second, he headed to the kitchen to catch Cameron and hopefully find out the guy's name and any background he could find.

The young man was still at the motel and the clerk agreed to call him if he left. Rafe paid the man well and impressed upon him the importance of carrying out his end of the bargain. Rafe had a way with people, they never wanted to disappoint or piss him off.

For the entire night, the little redhead would not leave his thoughts for a moment and Rafe had to find out why. His dragon was getting irritable and anxious and was pressing Rafe to go back and check on the vulnerable little human again.

His dragon was not easily bothered, so whatever was up with the man must in some way, be connected to him or this Lodge. It was the only explanation Rafe could think of for his mood and the mood of his dragon. There was something serious in the air.

Bryn and Cameron usually had their breakfast together about this time so Rafe was sure he could catch them in the kitchen. He entered and poured himself a cup of coffee and dished up some ham and eggs before taking a seat next to Cameron at the bar instead of his usual place at the table across the room. Bryn was the first to comment with a broad smile.

"To what do we owe this honor?" He said, joking.

"I have a favor to ask of Cameron," Rafe answered matter of fact and took a sip of his coffee. "Why sit at the bar if I have nothing to ask or contribute?" He added.

“You’re welcome to sit here with us even if you have absolutely nothing to say, Rafe.” Dane, Alrick’s mate who had prepared breakfast this morning told him as he took a seat to Rafe’s left. Rafe was sitting with Cameron on his right and Dane on his left and he didn’t feel the usual urge to leave. He looked back and forth between them and cocked a half smile, maybe he was finally getting used to this lot.

“Thank you, Dane.”

“What’s the favor?” Bryn asked obviously more curious than Cameron.

“When I left the Red Lion last night a few wolf shifters were giving this guy, a human, a hard time and I broke it up and sent him on his way.” Rafe paused and took another sip of his coffee.

“I got a strange vibe off this man, so I followed him. He stopped at the diner a block up from the bar and ate a full meal at that hour and he ate like he hadn’t eaten in quite a while. He then walked to the River Bend Motel and got a room at three in the morning. He was alone.” Rafe added the last because the River Bend, known locally as just the Bend, was notorious for its practice of renting rooms by the hour.

Rafe took his phone out of his pocket and pulled up the photo he'd snapped while in the diner. "I was hoping you could get me a name and some background on him." He handed his phone to Cameron, who took it readily and quickly transferred the photo to his own device.

“What was it that bothered you about him, Rafe?” Calum asked as he and Alrick walked in and took a seat across from him. Rafe watched as Alrick leaned across the bar to kiss Dane and wish him a good morning. Normally Rafe would find such sentimentality grating, but this morning he thought it was quite sweet.

Rafe got his mind back on the question and answered. “He was shaken and not just by the wolf shifters that were giving him grief. His desperation went deep. I’d also swear that he knew what he was dealing with, he knew they were wolves or shifters at least. It was in his eyes, his stance and the way he looked at me when I exited the bar. He was trying to figure me out as in what kind of shifter I might be. His fear ratcheted up at my presence and then settled a little when I put the run on the wolves.” Rafe paused for a moment realizing his need to identify this man went deeper than idle interest. He was feeling a touch of desperation himself. He needed a name.

“He looked relieved but said nothing just stared at me for a few seconds and then and took off like a shot just to stop a block down the street and order dinner. I believe he’s on the run, probably in danger and that he is acquainted with the supernatural world. I need to know who he is.” Rafe finished and took a couple bites of his breakfast.

Cameron passed the phone to Calum so he and Alrick could see the man in question. Neither recognized him. Calum handed the phone back and fixed Rafe with a pointed stare before commenting on what he’d shared.

"I trust your instincts, Rafe, but I have to ask, is it possible that this man is connecting with you on a deeper level than you realize?" Rafe wasn't sure what he was driving at so didn't respond. "This diner is the place we stopped when we first entered this town, it is the place I met my Chance the first of the mates to be discovered. He was sitting at the counter and scared stiff that a bunch of bikers were sitting at a table directly behind him. At first, I was too shocked to understand what I was feeling, but I soon figured it out."

"I got nothing from his scent other than he was a human," Rafe told him.

“If he is on the run as you suspect and his pursuers are shifters it would make sense that he’d use some form of scent diffuser to protect himself. How is your dragon reacting to the young man?” Calum continued.

"Agitated, anxious, but I assumed the feelings were caused by distrust." Suddenly Rafe's eyebrows shot right up to his hairline shocked by what Calum was suggesting. Could this man, this human be his forever mate, could Fate be that big of a bitch to tie him to a human for all time? He found the thought devastating.

"I wouldn't discount the possibility that this man is your mate," Calum concluded with a confident smile.

Rafe shot him a hard stare beneath his dark brows. “You’re enjoying this too much, Calum.”  Calum barked a laugh followed by Alrick chiming in.

"We are all enjoying this, Rafe," Alrick told him and reached across the table to pat his shoulder in congratulations.

CHAPTER THREE

Noah woke at just after ten in the morning. His rest was sporadic but better than sleeping on the street. The rooms on either side of him were active all night until around seven this morning and then all went quiet. Listening to others having loud sex for hours on end was annoying, but what did he expect when he checked into a cheap motel in the bar district of town. The bed was soft and there was a shower, so he had nothing to complain about he told himself.

He pulled himself to the edge of the bed and just sat there for a few minutes, taking in his surroundings and thinking. He had to be constantly in the now, constantly alert and aware of his surroundings. Where would he go next? He toyed with the idea of heading home and going to the police as Justin had so many times suggested.

As far as anyone was aware, Joe died as a result of the fire and they believe he decided to disappear due to sadness and depression over the death of his cousin. It was all neatly packaged and easy to understand, but it was a pack of lies. No one was interested in hearing what was really happening.

He wished there was someone he could trust that he could talk to and who would help him figure this out. He had Justin to talk to, but over the weeks that they have talked nothing had been decided, he's been no real help at all. He hated to admit that, but for all his comforting words, Justin was just a voice on the phone. They talk, Justin gives him the same advice, come home and then asks where he is and then shortly after that the Jackals find him and he has to run again. It was the circle that Noah wanted to escape.

How was he going to survive? Running forever was not an option for him because the more he wore himself down, the more likely they would eventually catch him. Jackal shifters had a very long life and they never lost their vitality. They were like killing machines and they were hired to kill him and wouldn’t stop until the job was done. Would he ever have a normal life again? Would he live long enough to see tomorrow? Two questions he asked himself every morning.

As he sat there, his thoughts once again shifted to the man who helped him last night. He was a shifter Noah was sure of it. The looks and the air about him spoke of dominance and control; he was something large and powerful, but he wasn't a wolf. The wolf shifters were afraid of him that had been made obvious by how quickly they took off. He was larger than a wolf and more intimidating than a bear, he was something else. Noah racked his mind but came up with nothing that seemed to fit.

Having him right there at the diner having coffee and pie while Noah ate his meal had felt comforting, even though they sat at opposite ends of the room. It was as if he were there to protect Noah. It was crazy, but Noah had felt at ease for the first time in weeks. It was all in his head, he knew that, but it was nice all the same.

With a deep heartfelt sigh, he got up and took a shower and then reapplied the scent disrupter that, according to the mage he bought it from, would cloak his natural scent. He still registered as a human with any shifter he came across, but his personal scent markers were covered. The jackals trailing him wouldn't be able to follow his scent, but they knew what he looked like, so in actuality, the disrupter was a feeble assist, but it was better than nothing.

He took a look out his window and could see up and down the main street. It was busy outside with people and cars but no one he recognized, so that was good. His plan was to stay indoors for the day and maybe get more rest before leaving early in the morning. There was a bus station not far from the motel. Tomorrow he would continue north he decided. He pulled his chair over to the window and opened the curtain a little so he could keep watch.

…

It wasn't long after breakfast that Cameron finished his research and went looking for Rafe. He found him in the garage with Angus who was fixing him up with his own cycle. Rafe was a large man, so he required a motorcycle with plenty of size and horsepower. Angus outfitted him with a Harley Davidson CVO Ultra Limited one of their most powerful models. It was all black and chrome and beautiful.

"You're a Dragon's Blood now Rafe," Angus told him as he handed him a leather jacket replete with the club colors. Rafe was speechless for a moment so proud and pleased by the acceptance of his brothers.

“Thank you, Angus, I’ll wear it with honor.” Rafe uncharacteristically grabbed him and pulled him in for a brief manly hug.

"We're glad to have you with us," Angus told him as they both turned towards the large bay door when someone entered.

Rafe saw Cameron coming into the garage and walked to the front to meet him. He had been biding his time waiting to find out more about his mystery man before heading back to the motel. The clerk had told him the guy registered for two nights under the name John Smith and Rafe was pretty sure his name was not John Smith. The clerk hadn't called yet saying he left, but Rafe knew he needed to get back there soon, he felt it in his bones.

Cameron came up beside him and pulled out his tablet and began to rattle off a lot of information. “Don’t worry, I’ll send all of this to your phone.” He said when he saw Rafe’s expression. Rafe gave him a quick nod.

"His real name is Noah J. Owens and he's twenty-five years old. Up until approximately a month ago, he lived in Twin Falls, Idaho. He worked at a coffee shop and shared a rented home with his cousin Joseph B. Witte." Rafe took Cameron by the arm and lead him out of the garage and into the back yard away from the noise and fumes.

“What happened a month ago?” Rafe couldn’t stop himself from asking, wanting to know the end of the story first.

"Their rental burned down and Noah and Joe, as he was called, were taken to hospital. Joe died of his injuries. Noah remained in the hospital for a couple of weeks recovering and then suddenly one day he disappeared from the hospital and no one has seen him since." Cameron scrolled through some documents and showed Rafe Joe's hospital records.

"The fire might have finished the job, but it wasn't the only reason for this man's death," Rafe spoke his thoughts. "This man was beaten to near death." Cameron then showed him Noah's hospital records. "He was beaten as well not as severely as Joe, but he was unconscious when they pulled him from the fire," Rafe stated as he read the report and Cameron nodded.

"The fire was to finish them off and cover the crime I assume," Cameron told him. Rafe had a sudden urge to go get Noah and force him back to the Lodge. Noah needed protection, but he quelled the urge and continued to listen.

Cameron showed him the police records that indicated that the fire had been caused by a faulty electrical connection and was the cause of death. "The detective in charge was Jamison Ralls whose half-brother happens to be Justin Morley a very good friend of Noah and Joe." Cameron and Rafe walked over to the deck and took a seat at one of the round tables. For the next half hour, Cameron took Rafe on a ride through the dark web and beyond.

“Do you know who accepted the contract on these two boys?” Rafe was getting heated as was his dragon. Cameron shook his head.

“It was most certainly a paranormal. Based on the facts of the case no human could have done this and gotten away so clean.”

“Not even with the help of Detective Ralls?” Rafe asked.

"No, there was too much involvement on the scene by other officers and first responders and by what I can determine he seems to be the only dirty one in the bunch. Also, he has to have something on the medical examiner because that cause of death was a crock of shit." Rafe couldn't help but smile at Cameron's use of profanity because it was so rare.  He was finding himself warming up to this young human more and more.

“Crock of shit for sure, Cameron.” Rafe agreed.

"You need to help him, Rafe," Cameron stated abruptly.

“I will, Cameron, I promise. Whether he’s my mate or not I’ll bring him home. We can protect him here.” Rafe stood and headed for the SUV at the end of the drive. He jumped in and took off for town.

The thought of a human as his forever mate had horrified him at first, but after some thought and consideration and time spent with both Cameron and Dane and even Juan wasn't too bad, he had to admit Fate could have made a worse choice. 

He wasn’t getting his hopes up though, the connection he was feeling might just be those of one being reaching out to the needs of another. Whatever the case, he told himself he had to help this man because he’d promised Cameron.

…

Noah tensed as he watched a black vehicle pull up and park across the street from the motel. He stood off to the side of the window. Two men got out, it was them, they found him again. They headed straight for the motel. Fuck, how do they always know where he is?

He grabbed his backpack and carefully left his room knowing full well they would catch him if they saw him. He couldn't outrun a jackal and he doubted he'd have another trucker ready to spirit him away this time or a waitress to help him escape. He took the stairs down to the first floor and hurried down the hall to a room furthest from the front desk.

Knowing that the clerk would give him up in a heartbeat if the price was right, it was suicide for him to stay in his room or even on the second floor. They would check all the rooms on the second floor. Leaving would put him in the open, so he decided to hide in a room on the first floor and pray they didn't check all the rooms in the motel.

He picked the lock and entered a well-used, utterly debauched room. He thanked God for his good luck. The scents clouding this room would hide him even if his diffuser didn't. They must have had an orgy in here last night. He banished the unhelpful thoughts, locked the door and went to the bathroom were a plethora of discarded condoms and booze bottles littered the floor. They wouldn't scent him in there even if they entered the room.

After forty-five minutes of hiding and waiting, he took a cautious step out and surveyed the room and listened. Everything was quiet. He took a couple steps to the left and looked out the window without disturbing the curtains. The black car was still parked across the street and the two jackals were inside. They kept watch on the motel and the street, he would have to find a way out the back without the desk clerk seeing him.

The exit door at this end of the hall had an alarm attached, which seemed unnecessary since you have to pay first for your room, but maybe it was to keep people from entering. The room he was in faced the street, so going out the window was not an option.

He could hear the housekeeper's cart in the hallway, so going into another room wouldn't be possible either. The place was set up so that other than going out a window, everyone had to walk past the front desk in order to leave. He stood in the doorway watching the front until the clerk stepped away and then he made his move.

There was a front door that led to the sidewalk and main street and a back door that lead to the parking lot. Several people entered and he ducked his head and walked as fast he could without appearing to run. The back door was moments away.

“Hey, kid there’s people looking for you.” The clerk yelled to him as he tried to bypass the desk, damn that guy. Noah kept moving and the clerk kept calling to him. He saw the man had his phone in his hand and he was calling someone.

"Fuck," he started to run and burst through the back doors right into the rock-hard chest of someone who was entering. At first, his fear spiked thinking it was one of the jackals, but then he recognized the eyes looking down at him and crazy as it might sound, relief flooded his mind. This was the big man from last night. The man's phone was ringing, but he just reached in his pocket and shut it off, never taking his eyes off Noah.

He stood there, staring as the guy held him by the upper arm. "What's wrong, why are you running?" He questioned him, but it was more like a command that he answer. Noah didn't even consider lying, what was the point. If he wanted help, he had to ask for it.

"I have people after me, it's life or death. I have to get out of here right now." Noah stressed the urgency and thankfully, the big man did not question or hesitate. He continued to hold him by the upper arm and hurried him across the lot to a large black SUV and helped him inside. Within seconds Noah was buckled in and they were driving away.

He should be concerned, but the fact that he was getting away from the jackals was all that mattered at the moment. Besides, if the man had wanted to hurt him or kill him, he could have easily done so last night. Noah dropped his face into his hands and tried to still his racing heart and calm the panic that had embraced him at the sight of those men so close once again. Too many close calls, he was going to run out of angels to save him pretty soon and then what? 

He needed to ask questions, but for the moment he just wanted peace even for a second just some peace. He'd take some deep breaths and get a clear head and then he'd figure this out.

The man didn't speak, but even in his silence, his presence was overpowering but in a positive way. He was a complete stranger to Noah and yet he felt no fear. Perhaps he was on overload and simply had no room for more fear.

"They were sitting out in front of the motel in their car. I don't know how they found me so fast." Noah just suddenly erupted and started to talk. He'd kept everything inside for so long he just needed to talk.

"The last time they got this close was two days ago in Austin, Texas. I saw them before they saw me. They didn't even see me leave; I hitched a ride with a trucker who dropped me here in Laramie. How is it they keep finding me so fast?" Noah noticed his hands were trembling, so he threaded his fingers together, hoping they'd stop. He had no time for a breakdown.

"The two jackals in the black Ford are the ones chasing you?" The man asked him, but this time his voice had taken on a soothing quality. It was still forceful and deep but not commanding as it had been before. But even then, it had made Noah feel as if the man cared and really wanted to help. It was a good feeling and Noah hadn’t known many good feelings in the past two months.

"Yes." It didn't escape Noah's notice that the man knew they were jackals and had stated it clearly. "I know about shifters," Noah told him figuring he might as well get everything out in the open.

The man turned and looked at him with a curious glint in his beautiful green eyes. “I know you do.”

“Where are you taking me?” Noah decided to ask at last.

“My name is Rafe Adair and I’m taking you home with me.” Rafe gave a half smile and turned his attention back to the road.

“Oh, okay, Rafe.” Noah found that he had nothing else to say to that other than introduce himself. “I’m Noah Owens, by the way.”

“Pleased to meet you, Noah.”

Rafe sat stiffly behind the wheel consumed with the desire to reach over and touch Noah. To squeeze his thigh or clasp his hand anything to help calm the man’s fear and ease his frantic thoughts.

Rafe knew his touch would help, but Noah was probably not in a place to accept something so forward and intimate. He agreed to go home with him and had started to open up so that was more than had been expected. Rafe knew he needed to be careful not to scare this one. Noah’s nerves were brittle and his world in chaos, so Rafe had to be gentle.

He glanced over and marveled at the beauty and innocence of the young man. So much had happened to him in the short span of one month and still, he looked lost and lonely rather than angry. The events should have made him hard and cold, but instead, they made him seem forlorn.

Rafe wanted to hold him and never in his life had he felt compelled to hold or comfort a human or anyone else for that matter, he was a warrior and didn’t have time for such nonsense. But this human was different, so different he was going to tip Rafe’s world on its end. Rafe had a feeling he was going to be experiencing a lot of firsts in the next few days.

A part of him had known from the beginning when he first stepped foot outside the Red Lion and witnessed the young man being harassed. He'd broken up situations like that many times before. But he never felt the compulsion to follow the victim and find out everything he could about them or find it impossible to get them out of his head. The scent was obscured and the connection, not crystal clear so at the time he could pretend not to be sure. That had been stupid of him and Rafe was rarely stupid.

The moment Noah came rushing through those doors and slammed into him, Rafe was left with no doubt as to his importance. Whatever Noah had used to cover his natural scent was wearing off and the impact of their bodies and Noah’s panic drove his natural scent to its peak.

He smelled like heather in the rain and Rafe took a long greedy breath. The scent entered his nose, his throat and went straight to his heart. Noah Owens was his mate, this red-headed bundle of trouble and despair belonged to him.

Noah suddenly turned and looked at him with a deep frown marring his lovely face. “Why were you at the motel?” His panic over the jackals was wearing off and now his suspicion of Rafe was setting in.

"I was looking for you," Rafe answered truthfully.

“You followed me to the motel from the diner?”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“I knew you were in trouble. I thought I might be able to help.” Rafe kept it honest but without details.

“Why would you care about someone like me?” Noah no longer seemed suspicious but rather baffled by the apparent thoughtfulness of a stranger.

"I could feel your sadness, your despair," Rafe said and turned to hold his gaze for a moment before turning back to look at the road ahead.

"Thanks," Noah said softly as if not believing his ears and then added. "You're not going to hurt me, are you? I had to ask."

"No, and I will kill anyone who tries." That was probably more than he should have admitted but too late now. Noah made no comment, but he seemed to relax again.  He continued to look out the side window and pick at his fingernails in silence.

CHAPTER FOUR

Rafe was shocked to realize he was actually overjoyed to have found his mate. The old apprehension and decision to go it alone evaporated in an instant when he first held Noah in his arms. He’d never before felt such electricity in the air and an overwhelming and compelling desire for someone. 

The fact that his mate was human was drawing him up short in that he feared he wouldn’t know how to take care of a human mate. He spent so much of his life avoiding and criticizing the humans in his life that he never learned much about them on a personal level or any level, truth be told.

The Circle had been fairly isolated back on the Islands and humans were in the vast minority. They tended to be tribal, dishonest and self-serving back in the day and Rafe never grew out of that opinion. He didn't hate them as many have stated, but he didn't want them as friends either because he didn't believe they were capable of true honor and devotion. He preferred the paranormal communities, he understood them.  Now here he was face to face with Fate's gift and being forced to reconsider all of his previously held beliefs.

Rafe pulled into the driveway and drove the SUV up close to the garage and parked. He jumped out and rounded the vehicle just as Noah was getting out. He took Noah by the forearm and lead him to the back deck well away from the road and main entrance. He didn’t know if the jackals had followed or how many of them there were, but he wasn’t taking chances. They entered the kitchen through the large glass doors off the deck.

He gestured to one of the chairs at the table and Noah sat down. “Are you hungry or thirsty?” He asked.

"Water would be good, thanks." Noah looked nervous but not scared, which was good. Rafe brought him a bottle of water and sat down next to him at the table. The kitchen was empty at the moment, so it gave them time to talk before the others descended.

“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” Rafe pressed figuring the guy hadn’t eaten since last night.

Noah shook his head. "No, I'm fine, really."

"Okay, do you have questions? I'm sure you do." Rafe decided to put it in Noah's court rather than try to explain himself in general. Instead of shotgunning the information, he could tell Noah what he wanted to know.

“Are you a shifter?” That was his first question and it surprised Rafe, he thought the guy would go more in the direction of, “where am I?” Because the Lodge was a massive structure on acres of land on the edge of the city.

“Yes.” He answered the question.

“You’re not a regular shifter, you’re something else.”

“Yes.” Rafe wasn’t sure how much he wanted to elaborate at the moment and so chose to continue answering briefly, Noah didn’t object. He observed him as he opened his water and took a long drink. Rafe found himself captivated by the soft gleam of water on his lips and the rhythmic movement of his throat as he swallowed. The vision had an immediate physical effect on Rafe. He shifted in his seat as things got tighter but never took his eyes off Noah.

"You're not a snake-shifter, are you?" Noah's eyes got wide and he leaned away from the table.

Rafe gave an indignant shake of his head. “God no, those things give me the willies.” Rafe chuckled at Noah’s pronounced relief. So maybe he did need to do some general explanations because this was going too slow.

“I’m a dragon shifter and so are my friends and family who live here and up on the mountain.” He just threw it right out there. “We are originally from the Shetland Islands in Scotland but found a new home here in Laramie and are in the process of putting down our roots. I know some of what you are going through. One of the mates here at the lodge is a brilliant computer technician, nothing is kept secret from that man. He did a background check on you for me.” There that should get things moving a little.

“Holy shit, you said dragon?” Noah looked like he was hyperventilating as his eyes ate up every inch of Rafe’s appearance. Rafe gave a brief nod. “That’s why everyone gets out of your way.” Rafe gave another nod and at that moment Calum entered the kitchen along with Bryn and Forbes. Rafe hadn’t seen a lot of Forbes, he and his twin Flynn owned and ran the Red Lion along with their mate Hunter Davis, the brother of Lyle, the King’s Consort. The three resided together in one of the garden houses out back.

Rafe waved his hand indicating for them to come over. They all took a seat around the large kitchen table and waited for Rafe to make introductions.  “This is Noah Owens who I spoke to you about this morning. Noah this is Calum the Chieftain of Clan Keith and this is his brother. Bryn and Forbes both warriors of the Clan.” They all nodded at Noah and then turned a speculative stare to Rafe.

“He already knew about shifters, so I saw nothing to be gained by playing games with him.” Rafe defended his position.

“Cameron shared the report with me, so I have an understanding of his circumstances.” Calum began. “First I must ask,” he said and turned to regard Rafe directly. “Is he who we thought he might be?”

"Yes, he is," Rafe answered clear and without hesitation.

Noah wasn't sure what was going on but for some unknown reason, he trusted this Rafe guy and knew he'd have his back. The other men around the table were fierce and intense looking but not a one held a candle to Rafe. He was sure that if things went south, Rafe could get him out of there easily. Yeah, he'd put his money on Rafe, every time.

Calum might be more difficult, but he too lacked the darkness that Noah could see on the edges of Rafe. It wasn't a judgment, Rafe was a true warrior and warriors need a hint of feral darkness to survive and prevail. Noah wasn't sure how he knew all of this, but he'd always been good at seeing people if he looked closely. The problem was, he didn't always look closely when he needed to. He tended to take people at face value

Noah sat quietly and listened as the men discussed the jackals, the fire, the detective but it was when they mentioned Justin that he had to break into the conversation. “What do you know about Justin Morley?” Everyone at the table gave him their attention but it was Rafe who spoke.

"He and Jamison Ralls, the detective, are half-brothers." Noah just sat and stared at him for a moment, speechless. How did he not know this?

"We believe it was Ralls who hired the jackals to kill you and your cousin," Calum added.

“The detective was in a relationship with Joe. Justin is my best friend why wouldn’t he tell me Jamison was his brother?” He glanced around the table. All the times he spoke with Justin over the past two weeks about Detective Ralls and not once did he mention that the man was his brother.

“Joe and Ralls were seeing each other, not openly because Ralls thought it might affect his career, but Joe was under the impression they were getting serious.” Noah looked around the table again at every face and tried to find something there to contradict what was becoming obvious.

He turned and rested his gaze on Rafe and the pain of Joe's death came back to him. He hadn't had time to grieve Joe with every day being a constant struggle to survive he'd pushed the pain of losing Joe to the back of his mind. Now the reality of his loss was front and center and it was overwhelming him.

"This isn't right, Rafe." He pleaded. "Fuck, this is so messed up." He bent over and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to stop the sudden flow of emotion. "Joe was crazy about that guy. He wouldn't kill Joe. How could this happen?" He felt the tears and vigorously wiped them away. "Poor Joe, he loved Jamison, he would have done anything for him." His words were ragged and thick with sorrow. "Fucking shit!" He shouted and covered his face with his hands and started to cry.

He felt arms come around him and he was picked up and cradled against a hard-warm chest secure as he unleashed his pain. There was talk going on around him, but he just blocked it out. He didn't want to hear anything else right now.

He broke down in front of these men, but he couldn't stop himself, the memory of the events of that night came back to him in a rush. Rafe was holding him pressing his face into the crook of his neck, shielding him from the view of others in the room.

Rafe wasn't sure how to do this, so he just went with his instincts. He'd never held a crying human before; he'd always left such coddling to others. But this was his mate and his tears struck Rafe in a place in his heart that had never been touched before. Emotions came to life and a need to protect and defend this young human was the only thing on his mind.

Rafe could feel that Noah was bothered by the fact that others were witnessing his weakness. Rafe turned to the side and tucked him closer into this chest to hide him as much as possible. This was a strange new world for Rafe rife with confusing needs and emotions.

“Bryn, Forbes go get Angus and canvas the town. Find the jackals and kill them." Calum stood and the others started towards the door. "Be sure and get them all, there may be more than just the two." With that, they left and Calum turned his attention to Rafe.

"Rafe why don't you take your mate to your room and let him rest." Rafe gave a brief nod and stood with Noah still in his arms and left the room. He had accepted one of the larger rooms on the second floor when he arrived and now that he had Noah he was glad he had. It had a large bedroom, an attached bath, and a comfortable sized living area. The Clan had been very generous in allowing him this space.

He walked across the main room to the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed with Noah still in his arms. The man was pulling himself together now and trying to sit up but Rafe wanted to hold him a bit longer so ignored the subtle hints.

"Sorry for making a scene," Noah spoke softly and lifted his head from Rafe's chest. "Thanks for helping me." Rafe let him go at last and Noah stood beside him. Rafe patted the bed beside him and Noah instantly sat down.

"I'm sorry about your cousin," Rafe told him.

“Yeah.” Noah still sounded emotional. “He was a good guy, just wanted to be loved.” Noah took a shaky breath and then turned to look at Rafe directly. “They beat us really bad and when the fire started Joe threw himself on top of me. He saved my life.” Rafe moved to wrap his arm around Noah and slid him closer to his side.

“Why would Jamison want to kill Joe? Why would he hire people like those jackals to brutalize and kill him like that?” Noah asked and leaned into Rafe’s side the contact was welcoming and warm. Rafe was finding himself studying the many new and interesting sensations he was experiencing. It wasn’t just pity or empathy, he felt connected to Noah actually felt his suffering and wanted no needed to help.

“We don’t know why he did it, but we know that he hired the hit on your cousin and you. Do you recall anything that you saw or heard, or perhaps Joe might have told you that Ralls may have wanted to keep hidden? Something so serious he’d kill to keep it quiet?” Rafe ran his hand up and down Noah’s arm settling the young man’s nerves and also giving Rafe a sense of peace.

Noah appeared to be thinking very hard, but in the end, he just shook his head. "I can't think of anything. I only ever saw them together a few times. He never came to our house, Joe always had to go to his place or meet him somewhere. It was all very undercover. Ralls didn't like being gay."

“What do you mean he didn’t like being gay.”

“He dated a girl in public. She was his official girlfriend. It really bothered Joe even though he tried not to let it show.”

“Do you know her name?”

“Joe never told me, and I never bothered to find out. I honestly thought Joe would get tired of being treated like he didn’t matter and would dump Ralls, but he never got that chance.” Rafe felt Noah’s sadness coming back and pulled him in and placed a kiss to the side of his head. It might be presumptuous, but Noah was his mate and he needed to comfort him.

Rafe was beginning to understand now how his brother felt when he met Lyle and also why he felt it important for Rafe to be re-educated. Mates are very powerful even when they appear to be helpless innocents.

“We will avenge his death. I promise you the people responsible for this will pay.”

“I am so tired.” Noah groaned and dropped his head until his chin was nearly resting on his chest. Rafe moved to stand and then lifted Noah back into his arms and laid him out onto the large soft bed. He then removed Noah’s boots and slipped the backpack from his shoulder and place them on the floor near the bed. The guy could barely keep his eyes open and Rafe suddenly felt bad for making him talk when obviously all he wanted was to sleep.

“I am so exhausted.” He reiterated and rolled to his side and was soon snoring softly. Rafe covered him with a light blanket and then stepped out of the room and closed the door. He called Dane who had a particularly kind way about him and asked if he would sit with Rafe’s mate while he was out. Rafe needed to do some investigating of his own. So many things were not adding up and the thought that jackals would constantly be coming after his mate, because jackals never gave up on a contract, was unacceptable.

He would have to get to the root of it all and end the contract on his mate’s life. Jackals would just continually send more and more until the job was done not caring how many of their own died in the process. They were a despicable breed.

It wasn’t but a few minutes and there was a knock at his door. “Thank you.” Rafe began and Dane waved off the sentiment.

"Glad to help. I heard what's happening and I promise to keep him safe while you're gone." Dane smiled and Rafe was touched afresh by the loyalty and generosity of the humans within Calum's Clan.

"He just fell asleep and he should sleep for a while. You have my number, so if he wakes and needs me just call. Otherwise, I should be back in a couple of hours."

"Take your time and don't worry about Noah, he's safe here," Dane assured and Rafe couldn't stop himself from thanking him again before leaving.

CHAPTER FIVE

Rafe met up with Bryn and the others and helped to capture the jackals. It was easy enough; jackals were no match for dragons. Before disposing of them, the dragons discovered the name of the person who hired them. The jackals were offered a quick clean death if they told and they did not hesitate in immediately offering up the name.

Jackals held no loyalty to anyone and loved nothing but money and power. They were very simple creatures if you thought about it, horrible, disgusting, and vicious but overall simple. The jackals were beheaded and their remains seared by dragon fire to a fine ash. They ceased to exist, but more would be dispatched soon enough. It didn't matter because Rafe would kill them all.

The men sat together in one of the back rooms of the Red Lion and discussed the job and the way forward. The goal was securing Noah's safety by eliminating the threat. The takedown of the two jackals was just the beginning. There had only been the two in town at present.

"The jackals claimed they were hired by Justin Morley to kill Joseph, Noah was included simply because he was home at the time of the attack. With Noah's eyewitness account, Justin and his brother Jamison wouldn't be able to credibly sell their version that Joseph’s death was an unfortunate accident.” Bryn recapped the information.

“Justin hired the jackals?” Rafe was still baffled by the discovery that it was Justin and not Jamison.

Bryn nodded. “Jamison wanted him dead apparently, but it was Justin who had the contacts and hired the jackals. They’re in it together however you slice it.”

“It’s unfortunate that they had no information as to the reason behind the contract?” Forbes commented.

"They don't care why they're hired; they just want to make sure they're paid. Justin gave the jackals Jamison's name as a backup or co-signer on the contract to pay the remaining half of the contract price once the job was completed." Bryn looked at Rafe with a deep, thoughtful expression which was mirrored by every other man at the table.

"We can go to Idaho and deal with Justin and his brother so that you can stay here with your new mate. Noah is going to need a lot of your hands-on time and care, considering what he's been through."

"I thank you for your offer, but Noah needs to be a part of what happens with Jamison and Justin," Rafe spoke slowly and looked around the table at his friends. "Noah is not a weak person and for all of his days dodging and running for his life, it is important that he be involved in the end. He needs the personal satisfaction.”

“He’s human, Rafe. I know you’ve come a long way in the past month in recognizing and appreciating the value and strength of the humans among us. But with that said, again, he is a human and may not have the fortitude to take out bad actors like Jamison and Justin. You may be asking and expecting too much from him.” Forbes gave his opinion and the others looked on in agreement.

“I understand your doubts in this instance, but I know that Noah will need to feel that he, in some part, saved himself. The breakdown you witnessed earlier was not a usual occurrence for him. I felt his humiliation at losing control in front of all of you. He hadn't had the time to grieve his cousin and then to find out that someone his cousin loved was responsible was more than he could handle, and he lost control of his feelings. There is no shame in that.” Rafe defended is mate’s reaction and his mate’s right to be there when justice was delivered.

They nodded their agreement accepting that Rafe knew what was best for his mate.

…

Noah woke and rolled over on the large bed, wondering where he was. The confusion only lasted a few seconds and then he came fully awake and sat up. This was Rafe's bedroom, he checked his watch and noticed he'd been asleep for nearly two hours and it had felt good. His usual panic was not there, and he didn't feel the need to check his surroundings as he usually did.

He was at Rafe's home, he called it the Lodge and his friends and family lived here as well. Noah felt safe, he actually knew very little about Rafe and his people, but he knew they were dragons, and no one fucks with a dragon shifter. He'd never considered such beings, but at present, he was glad they existed. "Jackals were toast in a fight with dragons or rather toasted." Noah chuckled to himself.

The moment he allowed himself to laugh the sadness came rushing back in. How could he laugh after so much pain and loss? Joe was dead and he was running for his life, what did he have to laugh about. Guilt snuffed out the light and he drug himself to the edge of the bed and sat there staring at the floor.

Following a few minutes of contemplation, he pulled out his phone and turned it back on. He wanted to call Justin and confront him on the information he’d been given earlier. Rafe told him that Justin and Jamison were brothers and that seems like something Justin should have shared with him. He supposedly was talking with the police and trying to get them to reopen the case when in actuality his own brother was the detective that closed it.

Noah rubbed his hands down his thighs and thought about what he would say. He opened his phone and as he was about to hit Justin's number, his phone began to ring. "Hello, Justin."

“You turned your phone off? I’ve been trying to reach you all night.” Justin sounded so genuinely concerned, as usual.

"Why were you trying to reach me?" Noah tried to play it cool, but his temper was rising.

“Why, because you hung up so abruptly that I thought they’d found you.” Justin waited for a response, but Noah didn’t feel like filling the dead air with explanations. “What’s wrong, Noah?”

Other than running from the jackals that your brother hired to kill me, nothing. But Noah couldn't say that. He considered saying nothing but the need to have Justin explain for a change overcame his resistance to confrontation. "Why didn't you tell me that Jamison was your brother? You knew he was seeing Joe and you were aware that I knew him, so why didn't you tell me?" Would he lie and pretend Noah's information was false, or would he come up with a lame excuse? Noah waited silently as Justin went for the lame excuse.

“We’re half-brothers and not close.” Justin began with a tightness to his tone that spoke loudly of his discomfort. “I never said anything because I didn’t want to make either you or Joe uncomfortable.”

“Jamison closed the case and left it that Joe died as a result of the fire. You know that’s not true just as I do. Why is he so eager to put this away and why so eager to ignore me and what I’m going through? You told him I’m being hunted.” Noah tried to remain calm, but thoughts of Joe and that day were spiking his emotions all over again.

"Yes, Noah, I told him everything, but he doesn't believe you or me. He thinks you're imagining things due to stress and grief and believes that I'm going along with it because I'm your friend." Justin was suddenly sounding surer of himself and it pissed Noah off.

“Are you, Justin?” Noah snapped at him.

“Am I what?”

"Are you, my friend?"

"Of course I am, don't talk crazy. I'm all you have right now." Justin reminded him. "I'll talk to Jamison tomorrow and see if he will at least look at the possibility of others present prior to the fire and I'll ask him to review the cause of death again."

"Joe loved him, tell Jamison that," Noah interjected.

"I will," Justin spoke softly. There was so much more Noah wanted to say, but he couldn't discuss the information the Dragons had discovered without speaking to Rafe first.

“Are you still in Laramie?” Justin asked after a few moments of silence.

“How did you know I was in Laramie?”

“You told me last night.”

“No, I didn’t.” Noah had been tired, but he was certain he hadn’t told Justin his location.

"You were tired and before you hung up on me, I asked you where you were and you said, Laramie. How else would I know?" Justin was getting defensive.

“I don’t know, but I don’t recall telling you. Oh well doesn’t matter. I’m going to be moving on shortly.” Noah lied.

“Where are you headed, or do you know?”

“I don’t know.” Noah was growing tired of the lies.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Justin closed the call.

Noah closed his phone and stuffed it back into his pocket. He sat there for a while and thought about the call. As usual, Justin talked a lot but said very little. Had Jamison hired the jackals? He wanted so badly to throw that into Justin's face. He wanted to scream and demand answers, but in the end, all he could do was continue to play this game at least until he figured out all the players and whose side they were on.

“Hello, are you awake?” The voice came through the door along with a soft knock.

"Yes, come in." Noah wasn't sure who it was, but they sounded nice, it was a soft tone with positive energy.  A dark head peeked around the door and was accompanied by a warm smile. He introduced himself as Dane and explained why he was there. Noah felt odd being in Rafe's room when Rafe wasn't there.

“Can I get you anything, are you hungry?” Dane asked and walked over closer to where Noah sat on the edge of the bed.

“Coffee if it’s no bother.”

"No, bother at all." Dane left the room and Noah headed to the attached bath and washed up before joining Dane in the outer room. Dane handed him a cup along with a warm cinnamon roll. They sat down together at the small table beneath the large window that looked out upon the forest and the mountain beyond.

“You need to eat something.” Dane defended the necessity of the roll.

“Thanks, it looks delicious.” Noah smiled. Dane was a sweet guy; Noah could see that clearly. They talked and got to know one another but didn’t go too deep into Noah’s issues. The conversation was kept light for a reason and Noah knew that was to make him comfortable and help him relax.

Noah looked around and took in the basic stark masculinity of the room. Rafe was not a decorator and seemed partial to a minimalist style. Although the place was bare bones, it still gave off a warmth and security that confused Noah. The weapons on clear display upon the end table and counter and the leather items here and there should have caused mild alarm at the very least. But it all cumulated into a ‘yeah, I'm safe here feeling.'

He turned his attention back to Dane. “Did Rafe say when he’d be back?” He’d just gotten the words out of his mouth when the door opened and Rafe strode in. He walked over and without a word bent and placed a kiss to the top of Noah’s head before going over to pour himself a cup of coffee.

The unexpected ease of intimacy the guy was showing with him had Noah just staring and basking in the attention. Rafe’s touch was everything and Noah feared for a moment that he might be falling into a sort of hero worship.

Rafe came back to the table just as Dane was getting up and excusing himself. “I’ll let you two have some privacy.” He said.

"Thank you for staying with Noah," Rafe said as he sat down next to Noah and draped an arm across the back of Noah's chair.

"No problem," Dane assured him and waved to both of them as he was leaving. Noah felt himself actually leaning into Rafe and seeking the warmth and comfort he knew was there for him. It was confusing as hell, but he could not resist. Rafe wasn't a big teddy bear, he wasn't someone you would normally run to if you were scared, he was the opposite to both of those assertions and yet Noah craved his nearness and his care.

“Did you sleep well?” He asked and watched as Noah answered. He looked at him as if he were truly concerned, and he wasn’t the type of man who would fake such a feeling.

“Yeah, I slept well, thanks.” Noah shifted his gaze to his cup and took a sip before looking around the room and then back at Rafe for just a glance and then back down to the cup in his hand.

"You have questions," Rafe stated and moved his arm so that his hand could caress Noah's upper arm. Noah nodded and after a deep breath, looked at him out of the corner of his eye and spoke.

“Where did you go?”

“I joined the search for the jackals that were tracking you.”

“Did you find them?”

“Bryn and the others had them cornered when I arrived.”

"Did you make them go away?" Noah was feeling his hands shaking, so he set his cup down.

"Yes," Rafe answered in just one word and it said so much. Noah turned and looked at him directly searching his gaze seeing a finality in their depths. He felt no sadness for the beasts that killed Joe and terrorized him for weeks. Noah struggled for empathy and guilt, which did not come and then struggled with the fact that he felt nothing except relief at their deaths.

“There is no other way to deal with jackals, Noah. They are inherently corrupt and depraved. It is a factor of their genetics and no amount of talk will ever alter who they are, simple, dark and soulless creatures.” Rafe must have felt his emotional strain or read it on his face.

"I know. They were merciless when they attacked Joe and me. They took a lot of pleasure in causing us pain. It invigorated them and they smiled and laughed while they beat us.” Noah spoke slowly as the memories came back. But he told himself he wasn’t going to cry this time and took another shaky drink from his cup. The coffee was good, he would focus on the coffee.

"You survived, Noah," Rafe stated and reached up and cupped Noah's cheek and turned his head towards him. "They tried to finish you and they failed, and they continued to fail for the next two weeks. You are the conqueror and you will continue to be such because you’re stronger than they are in all the ways that matter.”

The next move should have been expected, yet it still took Noah by surprise. Rafe pulled him in for a kiss that started soft and explorative with just the lightest of touch. Then with a loud guttural groan, the kiss turned hungry and demanding as Rafe's fingers tangled roughly in Noah's hair turning his face upward and holding him fast.

Rafe had intended to comfort his mate, but the minute he held him in his arms, all thoughts of having just a simple, heartfelt discussion flew out the window. All that remained was a desperate need to embrace and taste those plump red lips.

Rafe was a soldier and for centuries he schooled his emotions so severely that they all but atrophied. Needs and desire were nonexistent in relation to duty and the necessity for rigid self-control. He found the effect that Noah was having upon him and his ability always to stay separate and detached to be disconcerting in some ways and edifying in other ways.

It was the mate bond that drew them together and connected their lives, but it also succeeded in opening Rafe's eyes to pleasure and wonder that he had never experienced and never knew he could experience. He never knew that such richness and depth of existence existed until Noah.

Hundreds of years upon this earth and he’d never known these feelings of joy and delight in just being near someone and holding them. Such feelings were incomprehensible to him just a few days ago and now he would do anything, give anything and go anywhere just to keep Noah with him. This human was a part of him now and he was not even the least bit unhappy about that.

He deepened the kiss and pulled Noah closer until he had him flush against his chest and fully engaged in the kiss. He loved his red hair and his blue eyes they contrasted in a way that made his appearance striking. It was one of the first things he noticed about him. But nothing was as good as the touch of his lips and the warmth of his body.

Rafe felt his dragon skimming below the surface of his skin aching to get out and claim their mate. They were on the same page in that regard, but Rafe still held enough of his senses to know that Noah may need time. For now, he would take whatever was offered and hoped he wasn't made to wait much longer.

Noah let down his defenses and just leaned into the affection Rafe was providing. He wanted to let go and slip completely under the spell Rafe was weaving with the taste of his lips and the security of his large and muscular arms. Noah wanted to hold forever the peace that was stealing over him and calming his soul.

He moved closer and threw his leg over Rafe's thighs, seating himself wantonly upon his lap and wrapping his arms around his neck. It had been so long since he'd held anyone and never had a man felt so perfectly suited for him as Rafe Adair. He was so far out of Noah's league but for right now he was here and willing and Noah was not going to lose this chance to feel great and to feel normal.

Rafe gripped Noah’s round ample bottom in his two hands and pulled him up close. Noah’s forwardness in declaring his own need was setting Rafe and his dragon on fire. On those rare occasions when he’d reflected upon a future mate, this was exactly what he’d envisioned. A mate who took what he wanted and didn’t have to be coaxed and persuaded. Rafe could see that Noah's desire matched his own he could feel it in his kiss and in a heedless manner, he pressed his hardening cock against him. 

Rafe had many lovers over the centuries, but not a one dared to push for dominance or made demands regardless of their size or strength. Rafe's sheer presence without a word put others on their guard no matter the setting or circumstance. People feared Rafe just on sight and he had always considered that just a fact of life. He was a Dragon Knight the most fearsome of creatures, second only to the Dragon King.

Now to have someone, a human no less, fearlessly touching him, taking from him and demanding his attention was exciting him beyond description. It was time to move this interaction to the bedroom. He stood and Noah immediately wrapped his legs around Rafe's waist, refusing to let go or even break from the kiss. Rafe continued to hold that delicious ass in the palms of his hands and headed for the bedroom.

CHAPTER SIX

Noah was taking liberties the likes of which he'd never before dared. There was just something about Rafe that gave him the courage to be forceful and go after what he wanted. He wanted Rafe naked and in bed and by the looks of it, his wish was coming true.

Rafe had moved from his lips to sucking provocatively on his neck and the sensation was titillating. Noah ran his hands across Rafe’s broad shoulders and down his arms feeling the muscles ripple beneath his touch. Noah soon found himself once again placed gently into the center of the large bed. All thoughts of anything apart from this the here and now fled from his mind and it was such a relief.

He hadn’t yet released the grip he had with his legs and Rafe seemed to have no trouble following him down and maintaining the sweet pressure of their bodies. Noah wanted so much more. Nothing in his past had prepared him for such a man and the level of heat he was able to generate with just a touch and a kiss.

"We need to get out of these clothes." He said while rubbing his hard cock against Rafe. The move and the statement were both so reckless, but there was no going back for him now. If Rafe denied him, Noah would most certainly shatter into a million pieces his nerves were strung so tight as he waited.

Rafe raised his head to stare down into Noah’s lust blown pupils and saw his own raw need reflected in his gaze. Noah was a man and he knew what he was asking, there was no room or desire to be coy. This was his mate and Rafe would deny him nothing.

Without speaking, Rafe locked his gaze with Noah and reached down to grab the hem of Noah's t-shirt and gradually raised it up further and further. He took the opportunity to glide his knuckles along the smooth, warm surface of Noah's marvelous chest. He watched the pleasure and anticipation play out in Noah's expression.

Noah released his hold on Rafe’s upper arms long enough for him to slip the t-shirt over his head and off. Rafe tossed it to the side and then straightened slightly to grab his own t-shirt from the back and haul it off. He tossed it on top of Noah’s and then settled himself back down on Noah and took his lips once more.

His mate was passionate and so eager, pulling at him and demanding more. Rafe opened his own jeans and pulled the sides apart, freeing his hard member and rubbing himself against Noah's rough jeans. Noah's reaction was immediate.

He groaned wantonly into Rafe’s ravaging mouth and let go of his arm to reach down between them and embrace Rafe’s hard heated cock. The touch was searing in its intensity of sensations. Rafe felt his heart tighten and his breath catch when Noah increased the pressure and took delight in his impatient enthusiasm. He felt his dragon come forward as the shift rippled across his features and the settled. After a few minutes of excited foreplay, Rafe decided it was enough. His dragon was becoming aggressive in its need to move things along.

Rafe abruptly sat up and kicked off his boot and removed his jeans, leaving him completely naked to Noah's adoring stare. It was a heady feeling to be so appreciated and Rafe was eating it up. Others had complimented him on his looks and size, but no one ever looked at him the way Noah was looking at him. This is what the elders had meant when they said it was important for him and his brothers to find their connection in the world. Noah was his connection.

Noah reached for him trying to pull him back down, but first Rafe moved to his left to take off Noah's boots and then opened his jeans and in one fluid motion took off both his jeans and his briefs and tossed them off the side of the bed. It was now Rafe's turn to marvel at the beauty of Noah's perfect naked body. Like Rafe, he had plenty of scars, but they just made him more magnificent. His strength and endurance were there in every mark that lay upon his gorgeousness.

He stretched out upon his mate and felt Noah return his hand to minister to his hard member stroking and rubbing the sensitive skin and bringing him contentment and satisfaction beyond measure. Rafe rutted against his grip glorying in his mate’s touch.

"Our clothes are off now, so what do you want to do?" Rafe teased expecting his mate to blush a little, but instead, his mate told him exactly what he wanted to do, and he did it with fervor.

"Everything, Rafe, I want to do everything," Noah stated while still keeping a grip on Rafe, a grip that tightened with each word. That opened the gates and Rafe would not be able to stop if the world itself came to an end around him. This was his mate begging for a passionate finish, and he would gladly deliver.

Noah wasn’t sure of what he said or how he said it, but the words set Rafe on fire. His movements and behavior had been intense but measured always watching and gauging Noah’s reactions. But now the gloves were definitely off and intense had turned to wild, a mouthwatering ferociousness of desire. He witnessed the shadow of the dragon in Rafe’s eyes and saw the scales rise and shimmer and then disappear. The excitement was tangible.

Rafe flipped him onto his stomach and forced his left leg up towards his shoulder while holding the other in place. The next thing he knew a large finger entered him from behind and began a rapid cadence of thrusts stretching and sensitizing his entrance until Noah couldn’t hold back the needy whine that escaped his panting lips. The thrusting and stretching continued, yet Noah wasn’t sure if he could be stretched enough to accommodate the cock he’d held in his hand.

Rafe was a large man in every way and although Noah was nervous, he was also anticipating the wonderful stretch and fullness that Rafe’s massive cock would deliver. Rafe was kissing his back and shoulders with hot, open-mouthed possessive kisses that demanded his submission.  He had three fingers in his ass and was stroking Noah's cock with his other hand. Noah let himself float into the abyss and opened himself to all the pleasure flooding his senses.

He felt his hot breath spread across his neck as Rafe pressed his lips against his ear. “Are you ready for me? Is this your desire?” He asked and Noah nodded his head vigorously. “Say it beautiful, tell me what you want?” His tone was sexy and deep and caused goose bumps to pebble alone Noah’s skin.

“I want you, Rafe, all of you.” Noah did not hold back although his voice held a slight quiver. His anticipation was building with each moment and each word and each touch. Noah feared he might come just from the tone of the man’s voice alone.

He felt the Rafe slow his strokes and remove his fingers and the loss was difficult so difficult that Noah began to object. “Don’t stop, please don’t stop.”

“Not stopping, beautiful, just switching tools.” He said with a dry chuckle. Noah understood completely when he felt the blunt end of Rafe’s cock press against his opening demanding entrance.

Rafe lined up his cock with Noah’s prepared hole and pressed the lube covered end against the loosened muscle easily popping inside to experience the exquisite tightness of Noah’s precious little ass. He couldn’t stop the answering moan he gave to Noah’s slight whimper.

Movement was slow at first not wanting to injure or cause his mate too much pain, but soon the hesitance was impossible and he plunged inside spreading his mate wide and filling him fully. Noah moved with him, pressing back and increasing their pleasure. The moans had turned to rapid pants and the sight of Noah's wonderful ass eating his cock so completely was beyond erotic.

The sex act for Rafe had always been conducted with the simple goal of satisfaction without connection. Rafe never wanted a relationship and walked away immediately after, but now as he stared down at his mate in the throes of rapture, he knew that he would never walk away. He would never let him go and never touch another, Noah was his life and his love now there would never be another.

With that realization, Rafe pounded into his soon to be bonded mate and held him tight as he writhed beneath him. Noah turned his head to the side and placed a tender kiss on the underside of Rafe's jaw. It was a gentle and loving touch and it had explosive results. Rafe plunged deeply and came with a roar as he sunk his teeth into Noah's shoulder marking and claiming him as the dragon's mate.

Rafe pumped hard and emptied into his mate’s perfect ass. The feelings rushing through him from the kiss and the climax along with the taste of his mate on his tongue was out of this world. His feelings had always been a stranger to him always held in check even on the most solemn or joyous of occasions. Now here he was with his heart laying open and everything pouring out for this one small human. This beautiful little man who now owned him body and soul.

He licked the wound closed and felt the moment that Noah lost it and came hard while struggling to catch his breath. Rafe reached beneath him and gave Noah’s softening cock a few strokes completing the orgasm and emptying more seed on the blanket under them.

Noah was lightheaded and stars were dancing on the edge of his vision he’d never come so hard in his life and the completeness he was feeling filled him with a pure sense of joy. It was the only word to describe the lovely feeling that pervaded his being. Rafe was holding him close and he could feel the affection radiating off the savage warrior, the dragon shifter, his mate.

"Did you claim me, Rafe?" Noah asked when he finally found his voice and his heart had calmed. He remembered that Calum had referred to him as Rafe's mate. He understood the word mate. In the paranormal world, it was not tossed about idly, the word was sacred. If the Chieftain said it, then it was true.

"I did," Rafe responded firm and with a sense of authority. He pulled out slowly and moved Noah to his back so he could lay down beside him and he gathered Noah into his arms, tucking his head under Rafe's chin.

Noah never felt so cared for and so safe. He was the mate of a dragon shifter. It would take some time for that, but for now, he was simply impressed. Rafe reached up and rubbed the pad of his thumb over the red claiming scare and Noah felt an intense desire shoot through him and his cock began to harden all over again.

“That mark is very sensitive.” He said in surprise.

"Only when you or I touch it. That is your claiming mark. Everyone will know you belong to me." Rafe said and rubbed it again, causing Noah to squirm. "What do you know about claiming?" Rafe asked and pulled Noah a little closer and reached for the comforter to cover them both and tucking it in around them.

Noah settled his cheek against Rafe's chest and thought about his introduction to the shifter world. While running from the jackals, Noah had come in contact with several shifter groups. The wolves, in particular, seemed to be everywhere. He inadvertently was present when a wolf was defending their mate against an aggressor and that was his first lesson in the power and the permanency of mates.

“I witnessed a wolf defend his mate and I learned the power and the importance of the word and that their bond was for life. I learned a lot of things that day.” Noah stated.

"Yes, it's for life. Does that scare you?" Rafe was surprised that his mate was so at ease discussing this life-changing event. But considering Noah present life, a change was probably welcome. He felt Noah shake his head before he spoke.

“No, I knew you were special the first time I saw you when you helped me with those wolves outside the bar.” Noah laughed softly. “Then there you were again at the motel when I needed someone most. I knew there had to be a connection. There was a reason you were being put in my path.”

"You believe in destiny then," Rafe said as he rubbed his cheek against Noah's hair.

"Yeah, I do, and I also believe in hope." Noah tightened his arm around Rafe. "Hope is what kept me running when all I wanted to do was lay down and give up. I was so tired but hoped that I would find someone who would help me kept me going."

Rafe lay there satisfied and content that his mate accepted him and his dragon and now wore his mark. But his mind was also consumed with his plan for dealing with the two humans responsible for the torment of his mate. Their life together would not truly begin until all threats were dealt with.

They'd discussed the possibility of luring the pair to the Lodge and dealing with them here. It seemed like a good plan, but Rafe wanted to make sure Noah was in no danger.  He would need to be present, he sensed that in his mate, but Rafe would not allow the pair to cause Noah any more suffering.

He listened as his mate fell back to sleep. He needed the rest so Rafe would lay there and hold him until he awoke. That was another first, Rafe had never held someone while they slept. He studied the pleasant feelings coursing through him and decided he liked it.

…

As the First Knight, Rafe ruled the Dragon Knights and answered only to the King. When he was placed with Clan Keith, he moved in with the Clan sharing their territory and therefore placed himself under the command of the Chieftain, Calum Keith.  With that said, Rafe was still the First Knight and his bond with his brothers was still in place. At present, their concern was growing because they could feel his new burgeoning emotions and they were sensing his restlessness.

“Something is happening to Rafe.” Grey, Rafe’s youngest brother and the youngest of the Knights told Jude his elder.

"I know, I can feel it too," Jude answered. Jude had taken over Rafe's duties in his absence, but Rafe was their rock and all the brothers, including Jude, missed his stoic guidance. They waited anxiously for his penance to be complete and for their King to call Rafe home.

"I need to talk to him. I want to see him." Grey added carefully, but his frustration was clear.

“We have to let this play out. As difficult as it is for us, it is just as difficult for Rafe. We can’t contact him unless he asks for us or his situation becomes serious. We have to wait.” Jude said the words, but he too was desperately wanting to call his brother.

In the beginning, they could feel his irritation and at times his boredom, but mostly they just felt his absence. But now his emotions were becoming heightened and pointed which in itself was upsetting them because Rafe never let his emotions out, never let anything show. Suddenly over the past couple of days, they could feel a heaviness of concern and a growing anger. What could be happening to their brother to cause such an uncharacteristic outpouring of feelings? None of them were happy with not knowing.

"If it gets worse, I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm going after him," Grey said and then walked away not giving Jude a chance to respond. Jude watched him go and knew that if tempers here on the mountain didn't improve, they might all be sent down the mountain.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Rafe had dinner sent to his room as he wanted more time alone with his mate. The guys at the Lodge were accommodating him and he appreciated it. Dane cooked a fine dinner of steak and potatoes with apple pie for dessert. He grew to like that little human more and more every day. Alrick was a lucky guy to have gotten such a kind and considerate mate.

The humans at the Lodge were not like any humans he’d encountered in his past and he was ready to give the race another chance. He would admit that humans weren’t as bad as he had thought for the past couple of centuries. He accepted the fact that his mate being human could be a strong factor in his readiness to now get along.

Rafe turned to regard his mate who had just gotten out of the shower and was walking towards him all fresh and moist looking. "You smell like heather in the rain." He whispered as he took Noah into his arms and kissed him, owning him completely once again. He was getting good at this.

"You smell like a grilled steak," Noah said and smiled when Rafe finally let him up for air.

“That’s not me, that’s our dinner.” Rafe walked him over to the small table helped him get seated and then laid out their dinner.

"This looks so good." Noah moaned and Rafe turned Noah's face up to him and kissed him again before taking a seat across from him.

“I love how you moan.”

“I love how you make me moan.” Noah countered with a smirk. Rafe’s dark green eyes leveled on him and then he smiled.

“I love making you moan, but now you need to eat.” Rafe poured them both a glass of water before digging into his meal.

After they ate, they sat together on the sofa in the living room and had their pie with a cup of coffee. Noah decided to find out what the next step was in regard to the contract on his life and what being Rafe's mate would entail for him. He didn't want to jump to conclusions or make assumptions only to be slapped down later. He liked the honesty and so far, Rafe had been honest with him even when the honesty was difficult.

“You told me earlier that Jamison Ralls had arranged for the jackals to kill Joe and me. What are the plans for handling Jamison now that the jackals are dead?” He asked and set his plate down on the side table and picked up his coffee mug.

“As I’m sure you are aware, more jackals will be sent to complete the contract, that’s just how they operate. We need to eliminate the source of the contract before we can end the hunt on your life.” Rafe looked at him long and hard and Noah knew there was something unpleasant that needed to be said that he was taking his time saying.

Before Rafe had the opportunity to complete his thought, Noah interjected with his prior conversation with Justin. He needed to fill the silence.

"Justin called me shortly after I woke up. You were still out. I couldn't help it. I asked why he never told me he and Jamison were brothers. He said they're not close, they're half-brothers and he didn’t think it mattered. That sounded damn lame to me.” Noah talked fast and ended abruptly when the long hard look Rafe was giving him turned explosive.

“He called you here?” His voice was harsh and deep and sent a chill down Noah’s spine.

“Yes, he’s been calling me for the past two weeks, ever since I ran. He’s the only outside contact I’ve had. He was the only person who believed me when I told the police that shifters had killed Joe.” Noah explained. “I didn’t tell him anything you suspected about Jamison, I only asked why he didn’t tell me Jamison was his brother.” Noah was not sure why Rafe seemed so grave.

“It wasn’t Jamison who hired the jackals. It was Justin.” Rafe spoke very slowly and very clearly and Noah was floored. He started shaking his head, Justin was helping him, wasn’t he? He was trying to help him, wasn’t he?

“The contract was taken out on your cousin Joe. They included you because you were home when they attacked. Jackals don’t leave witnesses. Justin paid them half and they will get the other half when they prove that you’re dead.” Rafe moved closer to Noah on the sofa and took his hand. He could see he was having a hard time reconciling the man he thought was his friend with the man who wanted him dead.

Rafe took out his phone and put in a call to Calum and also asked if he would bring Cameron along. He wanted him to check Noah’s phone.

Calum, Bryn, and Cameron all entered Rafe's quarters and sat down. Rafe asked Noah for his phone and he handed it to him without question. Rafe then gave the phone to Cameron. "Justin has been calling him. He called him a few hours ago. Can you tell me if he is tracing him through that burner phone?"

As soon as he mentioned the name Justin all attention was on Noah. Rafe felt his distress and pulled him in closer and wrapped his arm around Noah’s shoulder. He seemed to calm a little but was still uncomfortable with all the attention.

“I bought a new phone every few days and destroyed the old one.” Noah offered.

“You gave Justin the number of each new phone?” Cameron asked.

“Yes.”

Cameron shifted his eyes from the phone in his hand and held Noah's gaze. "You are either very skilled or very lucky to have evaded them for as long as you have. Justin has been tracking you since the beginning. He's known where you were every step of the way. Every time you spoke with him, he pinged your location." Noah sat silent for a moment, taking it all in and feeling like a complete moron. Whatever made him think that Justin was his friend? Justin kept referring to himself as ‘I'm your friend' and Noah fell for it.

“I kept moving, never stopped for more than a couple hours until I reached Laramie. I felt a weird sense of security here and thought I could rest for a day or two.” Noah rambled.

"Fate brought you here, to your mate," Calum stated.

Those words brought a light to Noah's mind and his scrambled thoughts. He looked up at Rafe who was regarding him closely. It reminded him that he had someone who cared about him. He was certain that even if Rafe didn't want him long term, he still cared about him. Rafe had a decency about him and so did his friends. They wouldn't leave him to fight this alone.

"I'm glad that I'm here and I thank you for your help, but I may have brought those beasts right to your doorstep. Justin knows I'm in Laramie and he probably knows now that I'm here at the Lodge. I'm sorry." Noah looked around the room at all the faces present, but no one looked put out in the least.

“The jackals won’t come here. This is the dragon’s den.” Calum said.

"They're stupid and suicidal but not that stupid and suicidal," Bryn explained.

“What we want to do is lure Justin and Jamison here. They’re the two people we need to deal with.” Calum elaborated.

“Why did he want Joe dead?” Noah asked the question that eluded him. Justin had no reason to kill Joe at least not a reason he could think of.

“Cameron discovered that Jamison Ralls is engaged to Sarah Friedland and has been for nearly six months. The Friedland family is wealthy and influential. Sarah’s father Edward Friedland is well known for his homophobia. If he found out Jamison had a boyfriend and was continuing to see that boyfriend while engaged to his daughter, the wedding would be off and Jamison would probably be out of a job. Friedland is said to own the police force, along with most everything else.” Calum paused for a moment letting Noah process the information.

"Either he was afraid his relationship would be found out, or your cousin may have made threats against him. Either way he and Justin decided hiring a hit was the best option for them." Calum finished and Noah nodded realizing so many things began to make sense.

“I’m pretty sure that Joe made threats. I heard him on the phone a few days before the attack he told Jamison that maybe his girlfriend would like to know that he fucks a guy on the weekends. Poor Joe.” Noah sighed and without realizing what he was doing began to rub the side of his face against Rafe’s chest. The deep woodsy scent filled his mind and stilled his grief.

“I hate them so much, Rafe.” He said. Rafe embraced him and dropped a kiss to the top of his head.

"We all hate them, Noah," Rafe responded and everyone in the room agreed.

…

"The jackals are refusing to go near the Lodge," Justin told his brother.

"You're sure Noah is at this Lodge?" Jamison was pacing the room while Justin sat on the sofa, watching him walk back and forth in front of him.

“His phone is there.” Justin seemed bored. “We need to end this. Running around the country after Noah is losing its entertainment value.”

“What do you suggest?” Jamison stopped his pacing and gave Justin his full attention.

“Offer them an incentive, more money perhaps.” Justin proposed.

"Why do they refuse to attack the Lodge? They didn't shy away from anywhere else, not even when Noah was hiding in the basement of that church in Clarksville." Jamison ignored Justin's suggestion of more money.

“Apparently ancients live there or some such bullshit. They won’t cross the threshold at least not for what we’re paying them.” Justin rolled his eyes.

"Wait for him to leave the Lodge," Jamison said. "He can't stay in there forever."

“That could take a while and, in the meantime, Noah could be telling his story of you and Joseph to anyone who will listen. Whoever these people are, they’re helping him and he’s probably sharing it all as we speak. You okay with Sarah and her daddy finding out about your extracurricular activities?” Justin glared at Jamison with a half-smile.

Jamison walked over to the sofa and looked down at Justin. “If you’d done your job we wouldn’t be in this situation. The jackals were to kill them and then set the house on fire.”

“What can I say they like to torture and Joseph’s screams as the fire consumed him were quite delightful from what I hear.” Justin grinned and then threw his head back in laughter at Jamison’s expression.

“You’re an evil little bastard.” He stated.

“Yes, and what would you do without me?” Justin shot back.

…

"How are we going to lure them here?" Was the question. Noah sat safely in Rafe's arms as he listened to the men discuss the best way to end this. The consensus being to draw both Justin and Jamison to Laramie and confront them, but Bryn had questions.

“What could bring them here, both of them? They have an endless stream of jackals to carry out the hit. Why would they put themselves in the middle of this mess and possibly become implicated?” He asked

"Urgency," Rafe stated. "They need to feel a sense of urgency and that the jackals are taking too long."

“Noah could elude to Justin that he was considering coming clean with the relationship between Detective Jamison Ralls and his cousin Joe. That seems to be the secret worth killing for. It might bring them here.”  Calum suggested.

"Justin has stated many times that he would come and get me if I wanted to come home and work this all out," Noah spoke up but remained cuddled close to Rafe. It wasn't manly, but it was what he needed and he was done denying himself.

"He's been lying and playing with me since the first day we met. These past few weeks he's jerked me around pretending to give me hope and then taking it away. He was tracking me just as Cameron said and I can't outrun a shifter so I should be dead right now. But I'm not dead because he likes listening to my despair and hopelessness. He is no better than the jackals that he hired. I wouldn't doubt that he would enjoy killing me himself. He'd love to see the look on my face when his intention was made clear." Noah paused and looked up at Rafe, who was listening quietly, but Noah could feel his tension.

"If I set up our meeting in such a way that it looks like he could get away with my murder, he will come. He wouldn't be able to resist." Noah knew that as sure as he knew his own name. Once the blinders regarding Justin were off, he saw all the clues and inconsistencies of their friendship and how everything bent to Justin's favor.

Calum looked at Rafe. “How do you feel about this?” Rafe considered everything for a few seconds before looking down at Noah and assessing his need and his ability. Rafe knew that his mate wanted this. He needed to face Justin and avenge his cousin. Rafe turned his gaze back to Calum before responding.

"It's a good plan. Besides, I will be there with him."

"Thanks, Rafe." Noah felt suddenly so strong and capable at that moment. He could accomplish anything with Rafe standing beside him.

“You’re welcome, Noah.”

Rafe looked at the Chieftain and let him know. “If this fails, I will go to Twin Falls and I will kill them both.” Calum nodded his understanding.

“And we will do everything in our power to cover your tracks. Laws, authority, norms we will break them all to secure the safety of your mate. You will do what you have to do. We are with you.”

Calum stood and the other followed. “Take care of your mate, Rafe.”

“I will, Calum.”

…

Noah woke and he found himself alone in the large bed. The bedroom was dark, but he could see Rafe standing in front of the window staring up at the mountain in the distance. He got out of bed and walked over to stand beside him. He didn't speak; he just stared up at the mountain with him and waited.

After several minutes Rafe draped his arm across Noah’s shoulders and pulled him up against his side. “I’m taking you away from here.”

"Okay," Noah answered without question. His trust and faith in Rafe grew with each hour they spent together. The claiming definitely put a boost on his trust level but even before that Noah had seen in Rafe someone who could and would help him. The soul connection was just a bonus. He would never take for granted the gift that was Rafe Adair. Life had been kicking his ass for years just to turn around and offer him this absolute magnificence on a silver platter. Never give up hope.

“I am the leader of the Dragon Knights. I am the First Knight to King Duncan Adair. My King and my brother Knights reside together on the mountain. I was sent away by my King to live here with Clan Keith in order to learn the value of all members within the Circle.” Noah wasn’t sure what Rafe was getting at, but he seemed to need to explain himself, so Noah listened.

“I was sent here because I disrespected the King’s Consort. In my defense, at the time, I didn’t know he was Duncan’s mate. I just thought he was a nosey human who was getting in the way.”

“You have a problem with humans, Rafe?” Noah was compelled to ask.

“I used to, but by living among them, the mates here at the Lodge have made me realize that I shouldn’t judge an entire race by a few bad examples. Then I met you, my little human mate, and any prejudice that I still held completely dissipated. I saw in you your strength of will and your love and your devotion to what you hold dear. My complaint with humans was that I perceived them to be self-serving and untrustworthy yet neither you nor any of the mates here at the Lodge have shown such weakness. Everyone has been dedicated and devoted to their mates and their Clan.”

Rafe stopped to place a hard-passionate kiss to Noah's lips. "I've learned to be more discerning in my judgment of others. I'm not a warm or friendly person by nature, but I can and will do better. I'll do it for you." He said and kissed him again. "I'll never get enough of you, Noah."

“I’m no prize, Rafe, but I’ll never let you down. I can promise you that much.” Noah was impressed with Rafe’s honesty and tried to reciprocate.

"You are my prize," Rafe stated firmly and kissed him again. "I understand now the control it must have taken Duncan not to tear me apart for the way I treated his mate. If someone had treated you the same, I doubt I'd have the control Duncan showed.”

"So, you were banished from the mountain," Noah asked, feeling his mate's hurt and loneliness.

“Yes, but only until I learn to value humans and to discard my prejudice. I’ve nearly learned my lesson.” Rafe smiled. “It’s okay, if Duncan hadn’t sent me here, I wouldn’t have met you. Fate always brings the pairs together. I was meant to be here, for you.” He dropped another kiss to those delicious lips.

"When this is over, I will petition the King to return to my duties with my brothers. You and I will reside in the Gatehouse on the mountain, or we can stay here if you'd prefer to remain at the Lodge." Rafe watched him gauging his acceptance.

“I like it here and the mountain sounds beautiful, but in all honesty, I’d be happy anywhere as long as you’re with me.” Noah wrapped his arm around Rafe’s waist and leaned into him.

"I was raised by my Aunt Karen, Joe's mom, after my parents took off in separate directions. They didn't like each other any more than they liked me." He gave a short laugh.  "Aunt Karen died five years ago, so Joe was all I had left."

"I'm sorry sweetheart." Rafe caught himself shocked as the endearment flowed across his lips. Never in his entire existence had he ever used an endearment of any kind with anyone, not even a child, but it felt so natural with Noah.

Rafe pulled Noah over to stand in front of him and then wrapped his arms around him. No more words were necessary as he bent to take Noah’s lips once more while dropping one hand to cup that beautiful bottom. The kiss grew more and more desperate as their desire burst forth once more. Noah felt his body melt against Rafe’s glorying in the sensations he was eliciting with his insatiable kiss and his large hands.

He felt himself being lifted so instinctively wrapped his legs around Rafe’s waist to steady himself. The move pressed him hard against Rafe’s formidable cock. The pressure sent dizzying pleasure spiking through his system.

Noah felt Rafe’s rough hand slip beneath the band of his briefs kneading the flesh. One large finger traced the crease down to his waiting hole. He gripped the back of Rafe’s neck and deepened the kiss even further. The need to have Rafe and have him now overruled everything else in his mind.

Rafe pushed him up against the wall using it as leverage to hold him in place. Noah tightened the hold he had with his legs and began riding Rafe’s fingers as they glided in and out of his increasingly sensitized channel.

"I need you, Rafe." He panted the words as Rafe used one hand to reach down and release his own throbbing cock. Heady pleasure swamped Noah as Rafe's cock began pressing up alongside his fingers that were in his ass. His arousal flared and his cock grew and felt engorged and painful as Rafe prepared him. Rafe moved his lips to Noah's cheek and then down his neck to nibble on his shoulder near the claiming scar. Noah moaned into Rafe's mouth and rubbed his hard cock against Rafe's abdomen, begging for satisfaction.

Noah found his briefs gone and Rafe’s cock pressing urgently inside his tight channel, stretching and filling him once again with his silken hardness. Noah pressed down with his hips and began riding Rafe’s cock with quick thrusts until Rafe stilled him with a hand on each hip and took over.

Rafe moved from suckings sensually on his mating scare to look up and capture Noah's gaze. He held him in a near hypnotic embrace while driving his cock ever deeper over and over, pushing to the depths of Noah's being. He balanced Noah against the wall and held him with one hand while he used the other to stroke Noah's needy, leaking member. Noah was coming apart in his hands.

Each stroke was synchronized with his own powerful thrusts inside Noah's channel. Tight, hot and mind-numbing in its magnificence, Rafe couldn't hold on much longer. Noah was tearing everything out of him piece by piece his emotions and his needs were being laid bare by this little human.

Rafe drove deep and held him fast as he emptied himself into the warm embrace of his forever mate. Noah cried out and arched his back as he too broke loose and came over Rafe's hand, covering him in the sweetest of scents. They held on pressing into each other's touch and just breathing.

Once Noah’s heart was calm and his breathing relaxed, Rafe slowly allowed him to slide down his body to stand before him. “You set me on fire every time you touch me, Noah.” He said with a contented smile.

"I melt when you hold me, Rafe," Noah answered in kind which made Rafe chuckle.

“Let’s shower and get dressed.” Rafe order. “Then I’m taking you to the mountain.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Slow down, Noah. What are you saying?” Justin appeared taken aback by Noah’s panic but was catching up and calculating it to his advantage fast enough. Noah was impressed by his own acting abilities.

"I left the place I was staying. They were a nice bunch, but they didn't deserve to have my troubles brought down on them. I need to get away from here and I have nowhere to go." Noah became breathless as if running. "You told me that you'd come and get me and bring me home. I need you to do that, Justin. I need you to come get me. I'm outside Laramie hiding in the mountains, but they'll find me. You said you'd help me."

“Yes, I will, now tell me exactly where you are and I’ll be there by nightfall, I promise.” Justin was faking concern. It was interesting how Noah could hear it now when he couldn’t before. The fake tone and the fake words all fake.

Noah gave him his current coordinates. "Call me when you get to Laramie and I'll meet you," Noah told him and Justin agreed.

Rafe and Noah had driven up the mountain and down the opposite side. The far side of the mountain was still wild with no inhabitants apart from the recluse who lived on the twenty acres near the base. That property was well isolated, so Rafe was confident that no one would get in the way.

“Do you think he will call when he gets to Laramie?” Noah asked. They were hiding out in an old abandoned mine shaft. Rafe had concealed the SUV back in the woods. He told Noah that it was important that he appears to be alone and on foot. The more isolated and helpless he looked, the more careless Justin would be. 

"No, he will assume you'll stay put and try to surprise you by just showing up. He'll follow the phone from which you made the call." Rafe pointed at the new burner phone they'd purchased before leaving Laramie. "Besides, he knows it would be easier for him to hide your body up here rather than in Laramie," Rafe explained without sentiment.

“Wow, that sounds really cold.” Noah moved over to where Rafe was seated and sat down next to him. He needed Rafe’s strength to assure him that this was going to work.

“Justin and Jamison are cold killers just like the jackals they hired. Don’t expect mercy or consideration form either of them.” Rafe held Noah with a hard stare following that statement and did not look away until Noah nodded his understanding.

“Why are you so sure Jamison will come with him? I only asked for Justin and there really doesn’t seem to me to be a reason for Jamison to tag along. As long as Justin gets the job done, Jamison should be happy.” Noah reached over and laid his palm on Rafe’s thigh marveling at the heat his mate gave off. Dragons ran very hot and Noah loved it.

"There's no guarantee that he will come, but my hunch is that he will want to make sure the deed is done this time. He left it up to Justin the last time and you survived, he isn't going to tolerate mistakes this time, he will want to be here." Rafe laid his hand on top of Noah's and gave it a squeeze. He then leaned back and raised his arm for Noah to cuddle up next to him and then he tucked him up close under his arm.

“It’s several hours before they will be here why don’t you rest for a while.” Rafe urged gently and Noah took him up on his offer was soon fast asleep.

Rafe could feel his brothers getting restless. He could feel their moods just as they could feel his. His emotions were charged as of late and their concern for him has been growing. He’d deal with these good for nothing pieces of human garbage and any jackal they brought along and then he would deal with his brothers. He would call Jude and let him know of Noah and that alone should answer all their questions.

Looking down at the man so comfortable now in his arms, he just smiled. Never in his life had he thought that a day would come when loving a human would bring him so much joy. Once the brothers were destroyed and his mind at peace regarding Joe, they could move on with their lives.

Rafe had decided to move the game to the mountain for the simple reason he could more easily and cleanly kill them all. Up here so far away from the public, no one would hear them scream. Also, if he needed or wanted to shift the mountain gave him cover to do so. He could protect and defend his mate better here than in Laramie among so many.

Calum had understood when Rafe explained his need to take this fight to the mountains but reminded him that the mountain was close enough that if he needed them, they could be there in seconds. Rafe was once again reminded that he was surrounded by good men and good friends. He sat quietly in the stillness of the morning listening and holding his mate while he slept and vowed that Noah's suffering would end today.

…

“Are you going to call him?” Jamison asked as he and Justin sat in their rented car in downtown Laramie. They’d flown in earlier and rented a car for the drive into Laramie. “Call him, he’ll come right to us.” He became more demanding.

Justin flipped his computer pad over to Jamison so he could see what Justin had been calculating. “The coordinates that Noah originally gave me match near exactly to the current location of the phone he is carrying. As you can see, he is on that mountain.” Justin pointed up ahead of them.

Jamison just stared for a moment not responding, clearly not understanding Justin’s inference. “Wouldn’t it be easier to have him come to us?”

"Sure, if we were just picking him up and driving him home, but we're not Jamison we plan to kill him, remember," Justin stated sarcastically. "Do you want to try and kill him here in the middle of downtown Laramie or up on that isolated mountain where he is vulnerable and alone?”

“Okay, I get it. Stop being a smartass and let’s go.” Jamison’s agitation was growing.

“I called for backup when we left Twin Falls. The pack will meet us at the coordinates Noah gave.” He started the car and pulled away from the curb.

"Does he still think that you're his friend," Jamison said with a sneer and a shake of his head.

"Yeah, and he told me that Joseph really loved you, Jamison." Justin shot back with an answering sneer. "Too bad he fell for a lowlife like you."

"Shut your fucking mouth." Jamison barked and punched his brother in the side of his head. Justin turned on him, seething with anger.

“Touch me again and I’ll have the jackals finish you as well. It will be just as easy to bury two bodies as one.”

“Just shut up and drive.”

…

When Noah woke, Rafe gave him some beef jerky to eat and some water to drink. Rafe didn’t need anything, a dragon could go days even weeks without food or water and not suffer for it. But his human needed sustenance to stay strong and healthy.

"Give me your phone," Rafe said and Noah pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to him. Rafe took it and threw it off into the woods a good distance.

“I just got that phone, Rafe.” Noah huffed but wore a half smile.

“I’ll buy you another.” He said and sat back down next to Noah. “They’re tracking the phone according to Cameron. They’ll be momentarily distracted when they find the phone in the long grass.” Rafe didn’t explain any further.

Noah checked his watch. “Justin should have made it to Laramie by now.” He said.

"They're on their way here and they are probably not alone," Rafe remarked.

“Who’s with them?”

“The jackals, most likely.”

“Why?”

“Justin will have to pay them the remainder owed either way. He doesn’t want to stiff a jackal and have them coming after him. So he might as well have them earn it.” Rafe explained.

“You know Justin so well and yet you’ve never met him.” Noah marveled.

“I’ve met many a man and woman like Justin Morley, unfortunately.”

…

“We’ll have to get out of the car and walk from here.” Justin opened his door and got out as Jamison did the same. “According to the tracer, the phone is about a half mile up and to our right.” He started walking and Jamison followed without comment.

“The pack is sending at least ten and maybe more. They’re angered by the fact the human managed to hide from them for so long. They want to make him very sorry.” Justin laughed.

“Sorry for what, not coming forward and offering himself up to death or for not dying the first time they tried to kill him?” Jamison mocked.

Justin laughed hard as if the whole thing was never ending amusement for him. “They’re going to do some horrible things to that young man before they kill him and I want a front row seat.”

“I just want him dead so that he doesn’t fuck up my life plans. Why do you hate him so much?” Jamison asked.

“Because he’s stupid and I hate stupid. I think stupid should be eradicated from the face of the earth.” Justin snorted a laugh and then became very serious. “I got tired of this game with Noah over a week ago, but he kept managing to slip away from the jackals. Talking to him every night and maintaining my façade was exhausting. I want him dead and out of my hair and I want him to suffer for taking so long to fucking die already.” They fell silent and stopped abruptly when they heard movement in the trees that surrounded them.

After a minute or two of silence, they continued on the location of the phone. Justin reached down into the tall grass and picked up the phone. "Could be a trap," Jamison whispered.

"Noah isn't smart enough to set a trap and besides he thinks that I'm his friend," Justin responded quietly while searching the area behind them. "The jackals are here." He said and took a step closer to Jamison. "They're waiting for us to flush him out."

“Then flush him out.” Jamison snapped.

“Noah! I’m here. I followed the coordinates that you gave me, thought it would be easier than calling and having you meet me. Noah!” He called again and someone moved in the heavy brush in front of them. “Noah?”

"Where you're standing is not the coordinates that I gave you. You followed the phone, not the coordinates. You've been tracking my phone since the beginning. You hired the jackals. You and Jamison orchestrated this entire thing, from Joe's murder to the cover-up." Noah spoke as he stood beside Rafe. He knew they were concealed by the heavy brush but Noah could see them. Justin looked so cocky and sure of himself and Jamison just looked bored an put out as usual.

Justin laughed hard and loud. "It took you forever to figure it out. I don't think I've met anyone in my life as dim as you Noah except maybe Joe. Was he really in love with Jamison? What a sorry dolt." Noah understood that he was trying to get a reaction, but Noah was all out of reactions where Justin was concerned.

After a few seconds of silence, Justin spoke again. "Come out Noah we'll talk and work this all out." He laughed again so amused at his own words. Justin stilled and watched as movement came from the brush in front of them.

Rafe pointed at Noah, indicating that he stay put as Rafe started walking out into the open. Noah hesitated for a moment but then moved forward a half step so as to keep an eye on Rafe. Justin's face fell and fear filled his expression as Rafe walked out of the brush and into the open space.

"Who the hell are you?" It was Jamison who spoke using his best I'm a detective and 'you need to answer me' voice. He then abruptly pulled out his pistol. "Fuck it." He said and shot Rafe. The bullet bounced off Rafe but not before Noah screamed and ran at Rafe, thinking that he had indeed been shot. Rafe had failed to tell Noah that nothing could penetrate the hide of a dragon.

Jamison immediately turned his gun on Noah, but Rafe stepped in front of him and took the bullet which bounced off just like the first.

"I'm sorry, Rafe, I thought he shot you." Noah was still rather emotional and Rafe took it as a sincere compliment that his mate would willingly risk death to help him. Of course, he never wanted him ever to do something like that again.

Justin and Jamison started backing up with their eyes shot wide and confusion coloring their expressions. Finally, Justin was worried, and Noah felt a sliver of satisfaction until the beasts began to walk out of the woods. They were jackals and they were there to finish the job. Justin looked behind him and smiled and then looked back at Noah.

“I don’t know what kind of monster your boyfriend is, but I sincerely doubt he will survive the attack of thirty jackals.” He sniped.

"Oh, Justin, you sincerely underestimate my boyfriend." Rafe cut a quick glance at Noah and smiled before returning his attention to the crowd in front of him.

Noah noticed the jackals moving forward, but they looked slightly bewildered as they took in the mountain of a man that was Rafe Adair. They couldn't identify what he was, and they were clearly worried but not worried enough to stop. They were a vicious species but not even a little bit smart.

"They are all yours," Justin announced to the group and he and Jamison took a step to the side obviously to watch the carnage as it unfolded. Slowly someone came out of the trees to the left of them and someone to the right.

“You need help here, Rafe or do you have it handled?”

"I got it, but thanks for coming." He said and then added. "Guys, this is Noah Owens, my mate." They didn't seem surprised. Then he spoke to Noah, who was tucked behind him without taking his eyes off the group. "Noah, this is my brother Jude to your right and my brother Grey to your left. Is Locke here somewhere?" He asked.

“Locke’s behind the jackals. He wanted to make sure none would escape if they decided to try and run.” That statement had the jackals reassessing their attack and turning their attention towards Justin and Jamison.

Justin erupted in a nervous shout. "We paid you to do a job now fucking do it!" They turned back, but before they could decide their next move, Rafe had grown tired of the dance and shifted right there in front of God and nature filling the open space and soring beyond the height of the trees. His dragon roared out its displeasure at this turn of events and the apparent danger to their mate.

The sight made Justin scream in horror and his brother nearly faint, but self-preservation took over and their feet began to move. The brothers turned and started to run away, but the jackals blocked their path. Instead of running for the trees ran for the brothers. "You fucking humans. You lured us into a dragon trap. They'll kill us, but not before we tear out your fucking throats and eat your hearts." The Leader of the jackals snarled. They were going to kill Justin and Jamison for setting them up even though they themselves were about to die. The Jackals overtook them in seconds and their screams filled the forest as they were torn apart. Blood coated the trees and the smell of death covered everything. Justin got the bloodbath he paid for.

Rafe threw back his mighty head and blasted the area with a river of dragon fire. The ground and a few trees suffered but the intruders took the brunt of the flames. Noah watched as they were all consumed by the dragon fire. He tried to feel bad for their demise, but like the jackals, all he felt was relief. They would never again hurt him or anyone else.

He looked up at Rafe and marveled at the majesty and beauty of his magnificent beast. He loved this man, this dragon, his mate. Rafe saved him and gave him back his life and his dignity but more than that he made him feel loved and truly valued.

“I love you Rafe and not just because you saved me. I love you because you’re perfect and I know that you love me too.” Noah stated and the dragon shifted back to Rafe upon hearing the heartfelt words. Noah ran up to him and was instantly gathered into his strong arms.

"I do love you, Noah. Never thought I was capable of such a powerful love as I feel for you, but here I am ready and willing to beg you to stay and be mine. I will defend you against all aggressors and I will love you like no one has before." Rafe implored.

“You never have to beg, and I will always be yours, Rafe.” Noah pledged and was gifted with a sweet possessive kiss.

Jude walked up to them and patted Rafe on the shoulder.

“Congratulations brother.” He told him and Rafe nodded with a smile while holding Noah tightly to his chest. His dragon would not be letting go for a while. He needed the closeness of his mate to satisfy the beast that Noah was well and safe.

“We’ll clean this up. Why don’t you go and be with your mate? You’ve had a rough few days.” Jude smiled knowingly at them both.

"It was all worth it, brother," Rafe told him and picked Noah up into his arms holding him like a precious and coveted prize. He looked lovingly down into the face that had changed his life forever. "Let's go home."

"I'm always home when I'm with you, Rafe." That statement earned him another heart-stopping kiss.

EPILOGUE

Rafe and Noah took their place back on the mountain and it wasn’t long before Noah and Lyle were fast friends. Noah still grieved for his cousin, but the pain was becoming less now that his killers had met their own justice. Rafe had considered remaining at the Lodge a while longer having developed a close bond with the Clan, but his brothers implored him to return and his first duty was to his brothers and his King.

The guys understood, but they would miss having the First Knight among them so they made Rafe and Noah members of Clan Keith and they always vowed to have their room prepared and that their door would always be open. Rafe promised to visit often and wore his title of a warrior of Clan Keith as proudly as he wore the First Knight of the Dragon King.

His time away among the humans had taught him plenty, but essentially Rafe was the same man he always was. He was still demanding, difficult, focused, a little narrow in his thinking sometimes, and unceasingly loyal to those he loved and served. Those parts of him were engrained, but Noah had managed to tap into a piece of his heart that warmed the fierce warrior. It allowed him to share and experience emotions he never knew that he possessed and it lightened his existence.

It was late afternoon and Rafe was sitting with Duncan and Jude on the deck drinking tea and planning the construction of out-buildings for the Gatehouse and some adjacent domiciles. The Circle would continue to get larger as members found their mates and families began to grow once again.

"It's good to have you back with us Rafe," Duncan admitted.

"Calum and Clan Keith were good to me and I will forever honor my commitment to them, but it's good to be back with my brothers," Rafe responded.

"It wasn't out of spite or anger that I sent you down the mountain," Duncan explained. "As First Knight, you have so many responsibilities. If something were to happen to me, you would take my place as King and as such you would need to be prepared to accept everyone in this Circle. A King cannot show prejudice or even the slightest hint of bias or judgment based on race. You needed to understand and accept people all people as individuals first and not identify them only by their race." Duncan paused for a moment, but everyone remained silent.

“You were always my finest warrior, Rafe but now you are my finest successor as well. You learned your lesson well and I applaud you for your discoveries and congratulate you on your beautiful and gracious mate.”

“Thank you, Duncan.” Rafe accepted that he was back where he belonged but also recognized that he was a better man for having made the journey.

THE END

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this newest adventure with the Dragons of Laramie and Clan Keith. Please rate and review! -B.A. Stretke

About the Author

B.A. Stretke is a Gay Romance and fiction author who publishes through Dreamspinner Press, LLC, and Amazon.com.

B.A Stretke began writing as a hobby. He read his first Jane Austen novel as a teen and was instantly hooked. The age-old dream of being a novelist took hold. Now long into adulthood, and a few years as an editor under his belt, B.A. is a full-time writer.

B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting the next storyline, often leaving little head space for much else. He loves hiking through the Northern Michigan woods he calls home, often finding inspiration for his books. Writing and finding that perfect cup of coffee occupy the rest of his time.

B.A. Stretke lives in Northern Michigan with one royally spoiled cat and his dear friends and family.  

You can connect with B.A. Stretke on his website: www.bastretke.com

Follow him on Twitter @BAStretkeWriter

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More Books from B.A. Stretke:

Pittsburgh Vampires

Meant To Be

Bad Reputation

Blond and Broken

Master DuCane

Love Is Danger

Surrender To Me

Eyes of Darkness

The Vampire and the Witch

The Vampire Next Door

Never Let Me Go

Blood and Bones

Dragon’s Blood M.C.:

Apex: The Dragon’s Mate

The Dragon’s Heart

Loving The Hellhound

Runaway

The Bad Boy

The Call of the Dragon

Finding Forever

The Dragon Twins

King of the Dragons

Crimson Vampire Coven:

●       Crimson Love

●       Trusting Fate

●       For Now and Forever

●       My Vampire Lover

●       The Vampire Code

●       The Crimson Sorcerer

●       The Crimson Omega

●       The Crimson Alpha

●       The Crimson Beta

●       The Dragon King

●       The Demon Lord

●       The Dragon Knight – The Crimson War

●       The Crimson Redemption

●       Crimson Christmas

●       Come Back To Me

●       Love and Magic

Pack Rules – Rue Pack Wolves:

●       Mine

●       Alpha Mate

●       The Enforcer’s Mate

●       Forever Mine – The Beta’s Mate

●       Lost and Found

●       The Omega’s Mate

●       The Doctor’s Mate

●       Finding Home

●       Owen’s Mate

●       Saving Jeremiah

●       Jackson’s Journey

●       Jesse’s Love

●       The Master’s Beloved

●       The Vampire’s Chosen

The Wolves of Belle Fourche:

●       The Wolves of Belle Fourche – The Alpha’s Claim

●       Surprised by Forever

●       Healing Scars

Lonepine Wolf Shifters:

●       Lonepine Wolf Shifters

●       Reluctant Mate

●       Jamie’s Mate

Superiorland Wolf Pack:

●       The Werewolf’s Mate

The Dark Side:

●       The Dark Side - Vampire Romance

Sparrow Ridge Wolf Pack:

Omega Mine

The Omega’s Love

Other Stories:

●       Risk and Reward: A Gay Love Story

●       Bound By the Gods

●       Signed and Sealed

●       The Art of the Deal

●       Save Me - A Supernatural Romance